Arizona deserves the full story on Abe Hamadeh

Independent Newsmedia/Charlene Bisson

OPINION — As an Arizona citizen, I believe we should recognize public officials who demonstrate genuine servant leadership. Congressman Abe Hamadeh deserves that recognition.

We deserve to know what our elected officials actually accomplish — not simply what political opponents or partisan commentators say about them.

Hamadeh has brought energy and initiative to Congress and pursued concrete results for Arizona. He helped advance more than $7 million in federal funding for Arizona priorities, including police and public-safety equipment in Peoria, Phoenix, Surprise and Glendale, as well as veterans’ legal services through Arizona State University.

Hamadeh also advanced $1.5 million for the Phoenix Fire Department to support first responders and their families. Two veterans’ bills he introduced passed the House unanimously. He also fought for Arizona’s military installations, the National Guard and defense-industry jobs vital to our economy and national security.

His service extends beyond legislation. His office resolved more than 600 constituent cases and returned nearly $2 million to constituents. That is public service in action, yet the public rarely hears this side of the story. That should concern all of us.

The press has a fundamental responsibility to practice journalism — not political advocacy. When journalists let political leanings determine which facts they report and which accomplishments they omit, they fail the public. It is disgraceful when legitimate accomplishments receive little attention while controversy and partisan criticism dominate coverage. 

Readers deserve the whole record. Journalists do not have to praise Hamadeh or agree with him. They should report what he’s actually done. 

The truth matters. A free press should challenge everyone. We deserve journalism that informs rather than filters the news through partisan narratives.

Journalists can debate Hamadeh’s policies and votes, but should not minimize his accomplishments simply because they do not fit a preferred narrative. 

Congressman Hamadeh deserves credit for serving Arizona with energy and purpose. Arizona deserves a press corps willing to tell the complete story — the good, the bad and everything in between.

That is not partisan. That is journalism.

Rep. Abe Hamadeh represents Congressional District 8, which includes parts of Glendale, Peoria, north Phoenix, Sun City, Sun City West and Surprise. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.