Mike Balow

Mike Balow

Republican Party

Michigan State University Board of Trustees

Tenure

2025 - Present

Term ends

2033

Years in position

0

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

Notre Dame High School

Bachelor's

U.S. Naval Academy, 1994

Graduate

University of Michigan, 2008

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Navy

Years of service

1994 - 2001

Personal

Birthplace

Royal Oak, Mich.

Profession

Real Estate Broker

Contact

Official website

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Mike Balow (Republican Party) is an at-large member of the Michigan State University Board of Trustees. He assumed office on January 1, 2025. His current term ends on January 1, 2033.

Balow (Republican Party) ran for election for an at-large seat of the Michigan State University Board of Trustees. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Biography

Mike Balow was born in Royal Oak, Michigan. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1994 to 2001. He earned a high school diploma from Notre Dame High School, a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1994, and a graduate degree from the University of Michigan in 2008. His career experience includes working as a real estate broker.

Elections

2024

See also: Michigan State Board of Regents election, 2024

General election

General election for Michigan State University Board of Trustees (2 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for Michigan State University Board of Trustees on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mike Balow (R)	24.9	2,491,310
✔		Rebecca Bahar-Cook (D)	24.2	2,426,171
		Julie Maday (R)	24.2	2,422,059
		Thomas Stallworth III (D)	22.6	2,262,011
	Submit photo	Grant Baker (L)	1.2	124,752
	Submit photo	Janet Sanger (U.S. Taxpayers Party)	1.1	106,346
		John Anthony La Pietra (G)	1.0	100,669
	Submit photo	John Sanger (U.S. Taxpayers Party)	0.7	73,880

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 10,007,198
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic convention

Democratic convention for Michigan State University Board of Trustees (2 seats)

Rebecca Bahar-Cook and Thomas Stallworth III advanced from the Democratic convention for Michigan State University Board of Trustees on August 24, 2024.

		Candidate
✔		Rebecca Bahar-Cook (D)
✔		Thomas Stallworth III (D)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican convention

Republican convention for Michigan State University Board of Trustees (2 seats)

Mike Balow and Julie Maday advanced from the Republican convention for Michigan State University Board of Trustees on August 24, 2024.

		Candidate
✔		Mike Balow (R)
✔		Julie Maday (R)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Green convention

Green convention for Michigan State University Board of Trustees (2 seats)

John Anthony La Pietra advanced from the Green convention for Michigan State University Board of Trustees on July 27, 2024.

		Candidate
✔		John Anthony La Pietra (G)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for Michigan State University Board of Trustees (2 seats)

Grant Baker advanced from the Libertarian convention for Michigan State University Board of Trustees on July 20, 2024.

		Candidate
✔	Submit photo	Grant Baker (L)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

U.S. Taxpayers Party convention

U.S. Taxpayers Party convention for Michigan State University Board of Trustees (2 seats)

Janet Sanger and John Sanger advanced from the U.S. Taxpayers Party convention for Michigan State University Board of Trustees on July 27, 2024.

		Candidate
✔	Submit photo	Janet Sanger (U.S. Taxpayers Party)
✔	Submit photo	John Sanger (U.S. Taxpayers Party)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Balow received the following endorsements.

• Citizens for Traditional Values – PAC

2022

See also: Michigan State Board of Regents election, 2022

General election

General election for Michigan State University Board of Trustees (2 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for Michigan State University Board of Trustees on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Renee Knake Jefferson (D)	24.9	1,990,753
✔		Dennis Denno (D)	24.3	1,944,257
		Mike Balow (R)	24.2	1,936,548
		Travis Menge (R)	23.2	1,857,798
	Submit photo	Claranna Gelineau (L)	1.2	99,778
	Submit photo	Max Riekse (L)	1.1	84,267
		Robin Laurain (G)	1.0	79,143

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 7,992,544
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic convention

Democratic convention for Michigan State University Board of Trustees (2 seats)

Incumbent Renee Knake Jefferson and Dennis Denno advanced from the Democratic convention for Michigan State University Board of Trustees on August 21, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		Renee Knake Jefferson (D)
✔		Dennis Denno (D)

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican convention

Republican convention for Michigan State University Board of Trustees (2 seats)

Mike Balow and Travis Menge advanced from the Republican convention for Michigan State University Board of Trustees on August 27, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		Mike Balow (R)
✔		Travis Menge (R)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Green convention

Green convention for Michigan State University Board of Trustees (2 seats)

Robin Laurain advanced from the Green convention for Michigan State University Board of Trustees on April 23, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		Robin Laurain (G)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for Michigan State University Board of Trustees (2 seats)

Claranna Gelineau and Max Riekse advanced from the Libertarian convention for Michigan State University Board of Trustees on July 10, 2022.

		Candidate
✔	Submit photo	Claranna Gelineau (L)
✔	Submit photo	Max Riekse (L)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Mike Balow did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Mike Balow's campaign website stated the following:

“

Put Michigan Students FIRST! Keep tuition as affordable as possible for working families Building on and strengthening MSU's core academic strengths, such as its world-class College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Hold MSU leadership accountable for their Constitutional oaths Bring Common Sense Financial Oversight to Excessive and Political University Spending Engaging stakeholders so people don't feel ignored Committed to the Return of the Men's and Women's MSU Swim and Dive Team, and the protection of Women's sports under Title IX Ensuring There is Transparency and Fairness in Decision Making No more boardroom secrets at MSU No more "club" atmosphere among trustees - that leads to poor decision making Release all 6,000 Nassar era documents and complete independent investigation that was never done Hold certain MSU Administration personnel accountable for continued systemic failures, and for putting their careers ahead of student safety and well-being More honesty and openness from the Board of Trustees and the MSU Administration

”

2022

Mike Balow completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Balow's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a community leader, a business leader, and a navy veteran. I believe I am the only candidate with a son or daughter that attends MSU, so I am invested. I have attended every board of trustee meeting for the last two years, and I’ve done my research. I understand how the boards works, and I am ready to go on day one. I’ve served on a number of boards and understand that to be an effective board member, you have to have competence, know the issues, and collaborate while standing for your core principles.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I am a proven leader with ability and integrity.
• I can and do collaborate with all types of people, with all type of political backgrounds, to get things done.
• The most important thing at MSU is the students. Everything else is in 2nd place. Every decision we make should be toward making the educational experience all that it can and should be.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about education. How to provide the best possible education at the lowest possible cost. Also, how to make a quality education accessible to everyone.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The trustees are elected by the people of the state of Michigan to provide oversight and leadership to MSU, and to ensure that it remains on the right path and provide corrective action when necessary. The trustees should not try to run the university on a day-to-day basis, nor should they completely step back from their responsibility to get involved when necessary. Thoughtful balance is appropriate. If the president breaks the law, or commits ethical violations in personnel decisions, then it is appropriate for the board to intervene.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty. Humility, Teamwork. Responsibility to the constituents.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Hire and fire the president, review budgets and expenditures. Interface with state government regarding MSU. Conduct general oversight of the university.

What legacy would you like to leave?

To leave the place better than I found it. To be viewed as an honest person who did his best.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Oversight of the university budget, the performance of the president and his or her staff, and compliance will all laws. Also, to ensure that the university operates at all times in an open and ethical manner.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

No. It is general oversight of a major public research institution. Everything that happens at that university is within the scope of governance of the MSU board of trustees.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Not necessarily. The previous experience that will be beneficial is management experience, in the public or private sector. Also, a track record of doing jobs and volunteering that require time and effort, but provide no financial benefit...because that's what this is. A lot of really valuable work to be done, with no financial benefit at all. Just doing it because you have the ability to help a great institution be even greater.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Team leadership. Budget review. Interpersonal skills. Communication skills.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign website

Balow’s campaign website stated the following:

“	MIKE BALOW BELIEVES MICHIGAN STATE CAN BE BETTER Put Michigan Students FIRST! Keep campus open for the best learning outcomes Supports Medical freedom of choice Hold Leadership and Faculty Accountable for Their Constitutional Oaths Bring Common Sense Financial Oversight to Excessive and Political University Spending Will Make Sure the President Understands He Works for Our Elected Board Committed to the Return of the Men's and Women's MSU Swim and Dive Team Ensuring There is Transparency and Fairness in Decision Making No more boardroom secrets at MSU No more "club" atmosphere among trustees - that leads to poor decision making Release all 6,000 Nassar era documents and complete independent investigation that was never done More honesty and openness from the board of trustees and president's office	”
—Mike Balow’s campaign website (2022)

Campaign finance summary

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