On ‘Growing Michigan’ council, Alabas Farhat counts as fresh face

When Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced in June the creation of the Growing Michigan Together Council, critics noticed immediately that many of its members were old and not representative of the youth the state is hoping to attract to the state.

There was only one spot for someone under 25, and that person was not immediately announced.

Apparently the governor did not want to look far. Whitmer announced her choice of an under-25 member Thursday, and it was a familiar face in Lansing circles: State Rep. Alabas Farhat, D-Dearborn. Farhat was announced alongside fellow lawmakers Rep. Pauline Wendzel, R-Bainbridge Township, and Sen. Darrin Camillieri, D-Trenton.

But it was 23-year-old Farhat, a first-term lawmaker, who checked two boxes: He’s young, and he’s a House Democrat.

Another criticism of the Whitmer council is that it’s made up of people the governor knows or should know. Among them are Brian Calley, a former lieutenant governor; Sandy Baruah of the Detroit Regional Chamber; and John Rakolta, a former U.S. ambassador and a veteran of the construction business.

Farhat’s addition to the council continues that trend. I’ve interviewed Farhat before and found him to be a pleasant guy. No doubt he’ll make a contribution to the board. But couldn’t Whitmer just give Farhat a call? They travel in the same political circles.

People read news to learn things they don’t know. Governors form advisory boards to learn things they don’t know. Those things are best taught by people the governor doesn’t know.

Whitmer’s choice to fill the Growing Michigan Together Council with familiar faces defeats the group’s purpose.