Republicans lead most races for Michigan education, university boards

• Michigan voters will determine two boards members each on U-M, MSU and Wayne State boards 
• Voters will also decide two seats on the State Board of Education 
• All four boards have Democratic majorities that will remain regardless of election results

Voters went to the polls Tuesday to decide K-12 and public university leaders, but their votes were still being counted Wednesday morning, leaving several races too close to call. 

Up for grabs were two seats each on the Michigan State University, University of Michigan and Wayne State University boards.

There were also two open seats on the State Board of Education, which has six Democrats and two Republicans. 

At Wayne State and University of Michigan, Democrats have a 6-2 majority. At Michigan State, there is a sole Republican on the eight-member board. 

As of Wednesday morning, Republicans lead in the State Board of Education races as well as the Wayne State and MSU races. 

At U-M, Carl Meyers, a Republican, and Denise Ilitch, a Democrat and incumbent, are leading the race. 

See below for specific vote counts.

K-12 issues 

The State Board of Education hires and fires the state superintendent, who oversees the Michigan Department of Education. The board also passes non binding resolutions about education policy.

Two Republican incumbents, Tom McMillin and Nikki Snyder, are running to keep their seats. They are challenged by two Democrats, Theodore Jones and Adam Zemke. Four third party candidates are also on the ballot. 

The state faces several challenges. The rate of students chronically absent is still higher than before the pandemic. Third and fourth grade students, who were just beginning their schooling during the pandemic, are scoring lower in reading and writing than previous third grade classes. Superintendents and students report student mental health remains a concern. 

Public universities’ challenges 

The Michigan Constitution mandates statewide elections for the university boards, a system some education have called to change because voters often don't know much about the candidates. 

At Michigan State, there are eight candidates running for two spots to replace Democrat Dianne Byrum and Republican Dan Kelly, who are not running for reelection. At University of Michigan, there are six candidates running for two spots on the board. Ron Weiser, one of two Republicans currently on the board, is not running for re-election. In Detroit, there are nine candidates, including two incumbents, running for two positions on the board. 

Each board faces challenges, and members will work with new presidents at all three universities. U-M President Santa Ono started October 2022, WSU President Kimberly Espy took the helm August 2023, MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz started March 2024. 

First-year student enrollment is up from the previous year at MSU, Wayne State and University of Michigan - Flint, but down at the other two University of Michigan campuses, according to the Michigan Association of State Universities 2024 fall enrollment report. 

Several candidates for the university board positions included college affordability in their campaign platforms.