An Historic Win
Klint Kesto surrounded by well-wishes at his election party. Photos by James Wallace
Klint Kesto is the state’s first Chaldean rep
By Vanessa Denha Garmo
Inside the ballroom overlooking the golf course at Shenandoah, more than 200 people waited until after 1 a.m. on Election Day for Klint Kesto to announce his win as State Representative in the 39th District.
It was an historic night.
“I did not make history,” said Kesto. “We made history. I could not do this alone. Again, I say thank you.”
His district includes Commerce Township, Wixom, Wolverine Lake and the western section of West Bloomfield. He emerged from a crowded field of six candidates in the August 7 Michigan Primary, garnering 2,626 votes. Kesto faced Democrat Pam Jackson in the general election and won by 3,000 votes.
He attracted dozens of volunteers during his campaign including a former elected leader. “I had the blessing to represent this district for four years and one thing that allowed me to do that was the help from the Chaldean community. I wanted to come back and say thank you,” said David Law, former state representative. “You had someone from the community who ran and who has made history and you all were there for him. Klint has integrity and he works hard. He is going to do a great job.”
Kesto thanked several people personally, including his family, but not before his brother had an opportunity to talk him up. “Every decision in his life has been the right one,” said William Kesto, M.D. “Captain of the soccer team, All State athlete, goes to college, gets his law degree, marries an angel and with two million Chaldeans in the world, I ask who is the guy who is going to do it? Klint Kesto is the guy!”
Kesto, 31, also acknowledged the family of his late wife Amal Kashat Kesto, who died of cancer two years ago.
On May 1, when Kesto decided to get in the race, he told a crowd of supporters that he was embarking on an historical journey. He persevered even when people told him Chaldeans do not vote. “You guys proved that when we work hard, we get things done and when you have faith in God, good things happen,” he said.
“We are all proud of Klint for having the courage and the confidence to challenge the naysayers,” said Derek Dickow. “For eight months he put his neck on the line for public scrutiny and in doing so raised our community up and brought us all together. On behalf of the Committee to Elect, let me say thank you Klint, you made us proud.”
In Kesto’s campaign, there were a number of Democrats who supported the Republican candidate. “For someone who ran for public office in 1995 in the city of Southfield, and who has voted Democratic since 18, I was very impressed with the army of volunteers that Klint had assembled and the hard work he had put into his campaign,” said Sharkey Haddad, a proclaimed life-long Democrat. “This was the first time I ever voted Republican and I am proud to say, he is probably the only Republican candidate I will ever vote for. In addition to all of that, Klint’s father is a distant cousin and I felt obligated to jump party lines; I guess blood is thicker than politics.”
Haddad wasn’t alone. “I had to split my vote in order to vote for Klint,” said George Matti. “I have never done that before. The last time I voted Republican was for Governor Milliken. I am hoping Klint can work with both sides of the aisle.”
Although she voted for President Barack Obama, Nicole Naimi, who volunteered for Kesto’s campaign, chose a Republican for her state representative. “My policy on politics is to vote for the best person and there is no one better than Klint. He has a good heart. He comes from a good family. He has no agenda.”
Kesto also drew support from non-Chaldeans. “I have been volunteering since the primary,” said Anthony Buffa of Lansing, who met Kesto through his consulting job. “I wanted to get involved and I had a chance to meet Klint. He is a good man. He was the best person for the job.”
“He worked harder than anyone I have ever seen,” said Clarence Dass, attorney. “It is a testament to this community; his hard work ethic and perseverance paid off. It is a sign of a bright future for this community. Others have tried but did not make it. This is historic for us.”
A 2006 graduate of Wayne State University’s Law School, Kesto has been an assistant prosecuting attorney for Wayne County for the past six years. Prior to that, he worked for the federal departments of Energy and Justice, and the city of Southfield.
Kesto is a member of the Mother of God Parish Council, the Chaldean American Bar Association, and is a director of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce. His family owns a Buscemi’s restaurant in Sterling Heights and previously owned a pair of dollar stores.
“We ran an effective grassroots campaign and it worked,” Kesto said. “I could not have done this alone. I truly appreciate everyone who worked on this campaign and who voted. Most of you are business owners, and most of you know what is going on with our government. We need to get on track and help our economy and the community. You know me and you know I am here to serve. I try to serve the community as best I can.”
