2026 Michigan General Election

Nonpartisan

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Alexander Avery - Ballotpedia

Alex Avery was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He has an associate's degree in business administration from Northwestern Michigan College and a bachelor's degree in business administration with a focus in marketing from Central Michigan University. He lives in Wyoming, Michigan.

Alex currently works as a regional sales director for Great Minds. He previously worked for McGraw Hill Education as a district manager and sales representative, as an industrial accounts manager for BioSolutions, and as an account executive for New Horizons Computer Learning Centers.

I am the Libertarian candidate for the Wayne State University Board of Governors in the 2026 election. I have previously run for public office as a Libertarian, including campaigns for Kent County Drain Commissioner in 2020, Michigan State Senate in 2021, State Representative for the 83rd District in 2022, and Michigan’s 3rd Congressional District in 2024. Through each campaign, I have remained committed to giving voters a Libertarian choice on the ballot.

Alexander Avery - Libertarian Party

Alex Avery previously ran for Kent County Drain Commissioner in 2020, the Michigan State Senate in 2021, state representative for the 83rd District in 2022, and Michigan's 3rd Congressional District in 2024.

Alex previously ran for Kent County Drain Commissioner in 2020, the Michigan State Senate in 2021, state representative for the 83rd District in 2022, and Michigan's 3rd Congressional District in 2024.

As of September 4, 2026, Alex Avery did not have a website or any information online.

School Facilities & Resources

Student Wellbeing

Teachers

I am running because I believe Wayne State University benefits from a diversity of viewpoints on its governing board. As a Libertarian, I will bring an independent perspective and a commitment to thoughtful oversight as the university continues to educate future generations of Michiganders.

Believes Wayne State University benefits from a diversity of viewpoints on its governing board.

- Believes Wayne State University benefits from a diversity of viewpoints on its governing board.

Education

Alex Avery

As of September 4, 2026, Alex Avery’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Pavel Tantchev

Walter Ley

Andy has been deeply involved in community service throughout his life. He has volunteered as a Boy Scout troop leader for five years and continues to support youth leadership and service.

About Andy - Andy for Wayne State University

Andy Anuzis has volunteered as a Boy Scout troop leader for five years.

For the past 13 years, Andy has worked in public education with Cornerstone Schools in downtown Detroit serving as President of the Cornerstone network. For the last five years, he has served as Principal of Lincoln-King High School, where he leads students, teachers, and families with a focus on academic achievement, character development, and real-world readiness.

Before entering education, Andy built a career in state and federal public policy, serving as a consultant and senior staff member in government. Most notably, he served as Chief of Staff in both the Michigan House of Representatives and the United States Congress, where he helped manage complex organizations, oversee budgets, and develop policy with long-term impact.

Most notably, he served as Chief of Staff in both the Michigan House of Representatives and the United States Congress, where he helped manage complex organizations, oversee budgets, and develop policy with long-term impact. That experience shaped his belief in disciplined governance, transparency, and responsible stewardship of public resources. Andy ran a state-wide construction trade association providing benefits, workforce training, and government affairs.

Andy Anuzis works in public education at Cornerstone Schools in downtown Detroit as president of the Cornerstone network and principal of Lincoln-King High School. He previously worked as a consultant and senior staff member in state and federal government, including as chief of staff in the Michigan House of Representatives and the U.S. Congress, and ran a statewide construction trade association.

Andy works in public education at Cornerstone Schools in downtown Detroit as president of the Cornerstone network and principal of Lincoln-King High School. He previously worked as a consultant and senior staff member in state and federal government, including as chief of staff in the Michigan House of Representatives and the U.S. Congress, and ran a statewide construction trade association.

At its core, Wayne State University is an educational and research institution. The focus of the budget should be on these core missions. Ancillary projects, initiatives, and departments are often developed in complex organizations for what seem to be good reasons at the time. They all require money, and over time they can grow into permanent drains on the budget that provide little support to the core university missions.

As part of the budget process, each should be scrutinized to see if it can be self-funded. If not, there should be discussion about whether it should be pared back or eliminated.

Questions & Answers - Andy for Wayne State University

These approaches require digging into the details and asking hard questions. The first question should be whether the budgeted initiative, department, or program serves the educational and research missions of the university, and how directly.

Can it be changed, combined, or eliminated without disrupting the teaching and research that are the core of the university?

This is difficult and requires both care and a willingness to make hard decisions. But such decisions can provide more resources for the core missions, help keep tuition affordable, and ensure that our students and our state are the ultimate beneficiaries of the funding for this great public university.

Regarding endowments, my hope is that Wayne State is working to grow this source of ongoing funding provided through the generosity of donors, and also has expert professional investment advice and support. While I trust this is the case, as with budgeting and finance, I would work quickly to verify it.

Would scrutinize programs and departments for their connection to teaching and research, considering whether to change, combine, reduce, or eliminate those that do not support core missions.

Would verify that Wayne State University is growing its endowment and using professional investment advice and support.

- Would scrutinize programs and departments for their connection to teaching and research, considering whether to change, combine, reduce, or eliminate those that do not support core missions.
- Would verify that Wayne State University is growing its endowment and using professional investment advice and support.

Universities should foster a climate of free intellectual inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and critical thinking.

As a Wayne State Governor, I would encourage Wayne State to become a formal signatory to the Chicago Statement, which affirms universities’ commitment to free expression and academic freedom as core to their mission.

I am a supporter of the Heterodox Academy, which was formed by academicians across the philosophical spectrum to offer ideas and policy solutions that foster open inquiry, institutional neutrality, academic freedom, viewpoint diversity, and constructive disagreement.

As a Wayne State Governor, I would work with university leadership to evaluate the feasibility of creating a Wayne State Civil Society Institute to create spaces for intellectual diversity, revitalize humanities and civic learning, and encourage free inquiry and debate.

The School of Civic Leadership at the University of Texas at Austin, which offers academic programs focused on constitutional democracy and leadership, is one example of the type of civil society center Wayne State could consider.

The Bridging Differences initiative at Wayne State University, which has included student-led efforts and discussion groups designed to bring students from different political, ideological, religious, and cultural backgrounds together for dialogue and collaborative intellectual freedom on campus, is a good start. But more work is needed.

As a Division II school, Wayne State gives students the opportunity to be student-athletes, and I support that approach.

Not every university should aspire to be a big-money, high-profile sports powerhouse.

Broadly speaking, I support student-athletes’ right to earn money from their personal brand without being paid directly by their school to play sports.

Supports fostering free intellectual inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and critical thinking at universities.

Would encourage Wayne State University to sign the Chicago Statement on free expression and academic freedom.

Would evaluate creating a Wayne State Civil Society Institute to promote intellectual diversity, civic learning, free inquiry, and debate.

Said Wayne State University's Bridging Differences initiative is a good start for cross-background dialogue but that more work is needed.

Supports Wayne State University's Division II model of student-athletics rather than pursuing a high-profile sports program.

Supports student-athletes earning money from their personal brands without their schools directly paying them to play sports.

- Supports fostering free intellectual inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and critical thinking at universities.
- Would encourage Wayne State University to sign the Chicago Statement on free expression and academic freedom.
- Would evaluate creating a Wayne State Civil Society Institute to promote intellectual diversity, civic learning, free inquiry, and debate.
- Said Wayne State University's Bridging Differences initiative is a good start for cross-background dialogue but that more work is needed.
- Supports Wayne State University's Division II model of student-athletics rather than pursuing a high-profile sports program.
- Supports student-athletes earning money from their personal brands without their schools directly paying them to play sports.

Each of these – research, teaching, and workforce preparation – is critical for both students and our state. But excellence in teaching and learning is of paramount importance in today’s world and is at the heart of Wayne State University.

Prioritizes excellence in teaching and learning as central to Wayne State University's mission.

- Prioritizes excellence in teaching and learning as central to Wayne State University's mission.

To that end, some universities are launching civic institutions, and I would encourage this at Wayne State. As a board member, I would financially support Wayne State’s excellent undergraduate and graduate humanities, social sciences, arts, medical, business, engineering, education, law, and other programs that deliver intellectual cultivation as well as practical and meaningful economic opportunities.

Top priorities are affordability, preparing students for successful careers, and developing a generation of intellectually cultivated citizens who will elevate our civic discourse.

As a board member, I would build those priorities into Wayne State University’s strategic plan and allocate needed budget dollars.

Students deserve affordable, excellent colleges that help them attain economic and career success, but also build their critical thinking skills. We should not think of universities solely as job training institutions. Cultivating the full human person is especially important with the advent of artificial intelligence.

Would encourage Wayne State University to establish a civic institution and financially support academic programs that provide intellectual development and career opportunities.

Prioritizes university affordability, career preparation, and intellectual development in Wayne State University's strategic plan and budget.

Believes universities should provide affordable education, career preparation, and critical-thinking skills rather than serve solely as job-training institutions.

- Would encourage Wayne State University to establish a civic institution and financially support academic programs that provide intellectual development and career opportunities.
- Prioritizes university affordability, career preparation, and intellectual development in Wayne State University's strategic plan and budget.
- Believes universities should provide affordable education, career preparation, and critical-thinking skills rather than serve solely as job-training institutions.

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Andy Anuzis

- Prioritizes university affordability, career preparation, and intellectual development in Wayne State University's strategic plan and budget.
- Believes universities should provide affordable education, career preparation, and critical-thinking skills rather than serve solely as job-training institutions.

Mauricio Mendez

Murphy’s academic credentials reflect both intellectual rigor and practical application: a mathematics degree from Wayne State, a master’s in information technology from Carnegie Mellon, and an MBA from Michigan Ross. She’s continued learning throughout her career, earning advanced certifications from MIT in cybersecurity and analytics, plus project management credentials that underscore her commitment to getting things done right.

About Christa

Christa Murphy has a degree in mathematics from Wayne State, a master's degree in information technology from Carnegie Mellon, and an MBA from Michigan Ross.

When Christa Murphy walked across the stage to receive her mathematics degree from Wayne State University, she was already thinking about how to give back. Today, after building a career leading technology strategy at Meta, Samsung, and General Motors, she’s ready to bring that expertise home.

Christa Murphy has built a career leading technology strategy at Meta, Samsung, and General Motors.

Christa has built a career leading technology strategy at Meta, Samsung, and General Motors.

Recent Candidacies
Wayne State University Board of Governors in November 3, 2026 Michigan General Election
Wayne State University Board of Governors in November 8, 2022 Michigan General Election

Christa Murphy | BallotReady

Christa previously ran for the Wayne State University Board of Governors in 2022.

As of September 4, 2026, Christa Murphy’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Christa Murphy

Christa Murphy earned a mathematics degree from Wayne State, a master's degree in information technology from Carnegie Mellon, and an MBA from Michigan Ross.

Christa Murphy works in strategy at Meta's Reality Labs. She previously served as director of information technology, analytics and quality at Samsung Electronics and as general manager of international and emerging initiatives at General Motors. She has also served on the board of directors at Vibe Credit Union.

I am a  Michigander and near life-long Wayne County resident.  I am also a proud alum of Wayne County Community College District and Wayne State University (Go Warriors!) and a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor society.  I hold a Baccalaureate of Arts in Anthropology from Oregon State University and a Master of Arts in Historical Archaeology from WSU.

Jami Van Alstine for Wayne County Commission - 11th District

My professional background is in information technology, where I have worked for more than two decades. I also have a personal connection to Wayne State University, having attended the university before completing my bachelor’s degree in computer science with a minor in business administration at Clemson University.

Jami Van Alstine - Libertarian Party

Jami Van Alstine is a Michigander and a nearly lifelong Wayne County resident. She attended Wayne State University.

I hold a Baccalaureate of Arts in Anthropology from Oregon State University and a Master of Arts in Historical Archaeology from WSU.  I have worked in Information Technology supporting Michigan's automotive industry for over 20 years.  I am running as a non-partisan candidate for County Commission - 11th District because I care deeply about the opportunities, well-being, and issues important to people in our communities.

Jami has worked in information technology supporting Michigan's automotive industry for more than two decades.

As of September 4, 2026, Jami Van Alstine’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Throughout my career and volunteer work, I have focused on solving problems, improving technology, and supporting organizations through dependable leadership and technical expertise. I believe these experiences have prepared me to serve on Wayne State’s Board of Governors and contribute to the university’s long-term success.

As a candidate, I am committed to listening to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and taxpayers while carrying out the responsibilities of a member of the Board of Governors with integrity and accountability.

Commits to listening to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and taxpayers while serving as a Board of Governors member with integrity and accountability.

- Commits to listening to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and taxpayers while serving as a Board of Governors member with integrity and accountability.

Jami Van Alstine

Jami Van Alstine is a Michigander and nearly lifelong Wayne County resident. Jami is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Jami Van Alstine has worked in information technology supporting Michigan's automotive industry.

Jami Van Alstine is a Michigander and nearly lifelong Wayne County resident. She earned a master's degree in historical archaeology from Wayne State University.

Jami has worked in information technology for more than two decades.

- Commits to listen to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and taxpayers while carrying out Board of Governors responsibilities.

As of September 4, 2026, Jeff McDonald did not have a website or any information online.

Jeff McDonald

As of September 4, 2026, Jeff McDonald’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As of September 4, 2026, Kathleen Oakford did not have a website or any information online.

Kathleen Oakford

As of September 4, 2026, Kathleen Oakford’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As of September 4, 2026, Paul M. Ragan did not have a website or any information online.

Paul M. Ragan

As of September 4, 2026, Paul M. Ragan’s website did not contain information on this issue.

I am a union-side (never employer side) labor and civil rights attorney, for the last 28 years.

Richard Mack for WSU

Richard Mack works as a labor and civil rights attorney representing unions.

As of September 4, 2026, Richard Mack’s website did not contain information on this issue.

I am driven to help make WSU more affordable, safe, and connected to the entire state of Michigan.

Plans to help make Wayne State University safer.

- Plans to help make Wayne State University safer.

I want to use my experience of wading through government budgets to help deliver a top-notch education for students, while fairly compensating the faculty and staff who make that education possible.

Wants to fairly compensate university faculty and staff.

- Wants to fairly compensate university faculty and staff.

I am a civil rights litigator, passionate about protecting the free speech rights of all on campus, and protecting academic freedoms against illegal interference from the outside.

Plans to use budget experience to help deliver a “top-notch education” for students.

Advocates for protecting campus free-speech rights and academic freedom from illegal outside interference.

Plans to help make Wayne State University more affordable and connected to Michigan.

- Plans to use budget experience to help deliver a “top-notch education” for students.
- Advocates for protecting campus free-speech rights and academic freedom from illegal outside interference.
- Plans to help make Wayne State University more affordable and connected to Michigan.

Richard Mack

Roots and community

Shereef grew up believing that dignity, hard work, and faith should open doors. That belief guided him from his early days in Michigan public schools to the University of Michigan, where he studied economics to better understand how decisions in boardrooms affect families at their kitchen tables.

Meet Shereef

Roots and community

Shereef grew up believing that dignity, hard work, and faith should open doors. That belief guided him from his early days in Michigan public schools to the University of Michigan, where he studied economics to better understand how decisions in boardrooms affect families at their kitchen tables. He and his family have made Oakland County their home, raising five children, building a local law firm, and serving in houses of worship and community nonprofits that bring neighbors together instead of driving them apart.

Shereef Akeel studied economics at the University of Michigan. He and his family have made Oakland County their home and raised five children.

Meet Shereef

Shereef Akeel is a nationally recognized civil rights and human rights attorney who has spent his career advocating for those who have been silenced, mistreated, and excluded from the American promise. From local workplaces in Michigan to torture prisons overseas, he has used the law to ensure accountability and justice.

Record of fighting for justice

For more than two decades, Shereef has represented workers, families, and communities in among the toughest civil rights cases in the country. His work assisted in the dismantlement of discriminatory performance systems at a major auto manufacturer, reformed police policies that forced women to remove their hijabs for mug shots, and stopped a national bank from targeting customers based on religion and ethnicity.

Shereef works as a civil rights and human rights attorney, representing workers, families, and communities in civil rights cases.

Affordability and Access

Invest in open educational resources (OER). Encourage faculty adoption of low-cost materials to reduce textbook expenses.

Platform

Affordability and Access

Partnerships with Detroit industries will create internships and job pipelines for graduates.

Investments in cutting-edge research facilities will boost WSU’s rankings in STEM, health sciences, and urban studies.

Supports investing in openly available educational resources and encouraging faculty to use low-cost course materials.

Supports investment in research facilities for science, technology, engineering, mathematics, health sciences, and urban studies.

- Supports investing in openly available educational resources and encouraging faculty to use low-cost course materials.
- Supports investment in research facilities for science, technology, engineering, mathematics, health sciences, and urban studies.

Academic Excellence  
Campus Support and Success

 Protect Civil Rights and Civil Liberties among students, faculty, staff, and administration to maintain academic freedom and expression.

Enhance mental health and wellness services. Promote accessible counseling, peer support, and 24/7 crisis resources.

Academic Excellence  
Campus Support and Success

Support graduate and professional students. Advocate for fair stipends, healthcare access, childcare, and research opportunities.

Diversity Practices

Invest in campus safety through equity. Focus on prevention, restorative practices, and anti-bias training.

Supports expanding mental-health and wellness services, including accessible counseling, peer support, and 24/7 crisis resources.

Advocates for graduate and professional students receiving fair stipends, access to health care, child care, and research opportunities.

Supports prevention programs, approaches to repairing harm, and training to address bias as campus-safety measures.

- Supports expanding mental-health and wellness services, including accessible counseling, peer support, and 24/7 crisis resources.
- Advocates for graduate and professional students receiving fair stipends, access to health care, child care, and research opportunities.
- Supports prevention programs, approaches to repairing harm, and training to address bias as campus-safety measures.

Affordability and Access

Advocate for stronger faculty retention through competitive salaries and modern infrastructure.

Advocates for retaining faculty through competitive salaries and modern infrastructure.

- Advocates for retaining faculty through competitive salaries and modern infrastructure.

Affordability and Access

Champion affordable tuition and debt reduction. Fight for increased state funding to keep higher education within reach for working families.

Affordability and Access

Expand financial aid and scholarship programs. Prioritize support for first-generation, low-income, and nontraditional students.

Academic Excellence  
Campus Support and Success

 Protect Civil Rights and Civil Liberties among students, faculty, staff, and administration to maintain academic freedom and expression.

Academic Excellence  
Campus Support and Success

Enhance mental health and wellness services. Promote accessible counseling, peer support, and 24/7 crisis resources.

Improve student retention and graduation rates. Strengthen academic advising and early intervention programs.

Diversity Practices

Ensure representation. Elevate diverse voices in university leadership and governance decisions.

Public Research and Community Engagement

Empower Detroit partnerships. Strengthen collaborations with local schools, small businesses, and civic organizations.

Advocates for increased state funding, affordable tuition, and debt reduction to make higher education more accessible.

Plans to expand financial aid and scholarships, prioritizing first-generation, low-income, and nontraditional students.

Supports partnerships with Detroit industries to create internships and employment pathways for graduates.

Supports protecting civil rights and civil liberties to maintain academic freedom and expression.

Plans to strengthen academic advising and programs that identify and address issues early to improve student retention and graduation rates.

Supports supporting diverse perspectives in university leadership and governance decisions.

Supports collaborations with local schools, small businesses, and civic organizations in Detroit.

- Advocates for increased state funding, affordable tuition, and debt reduction to make higher education more accessible.
- Plans to expand financial aid and scholarships, prioritizing first-generation, low-income, and nontraditional students.
- Supports partnerships with Detroit industries to create internships and employment pathways for graduates.
- Supports protecting civil rights and civil liberties to maintain academic freedom and expression.
- Plans to strengthen academic advising and programs that identify and address issues early to improve student retention and graduation rates.
- Supports supporting diverse perspectives in university leadership and governance decisions.
- Supports collaborations with local schools, small businesses, and civic organizations in Detroit.

Shereef Akeel

Shereef Akeel attended Michigan public schools and studied economics at the University of Michigan. He and his family live in Oakland County and have raised five children.

Shereef Akeel is a civil rights and human rights attorney. He has represented workers, families, and communities in civil rights cases.

- Advocates for open educational resources and faculty use of low-cost course materials to reduce textbook expenses.
- Supports investments in research facilities for science, technology, engineering, mathematics, health sciences, and urban studies.

- Supports expanded mental-health and wellness services, including accessible counseling, peer support, and 24/7 crisis resources.
- Advocates for graduate and professional students to receive fair stipends, health care access, child care, and research opportunities.
- Supports campus-safety investments emphasizing prevention, restorative practices, and anti-bias training.

- Advocates for faculty retention through competitive salaries and modern infrastructure.

- Advocates for affordable tuition, debt reduction, and increased state funding for higher education.
- Supports expanded financial aid and scholarships for first-generation, low-income, and nontraditional students.
- Supports protecting civil rights and civil liberties for students, faculty, staff, and administrators to maintain academic freedom and expression.
- Plans to strengthen academic advising and early-intervention programs to improve student retention and graduation rates.
- Supports elevating diverse voices in university leadership and governance decisions.
- Supports collaborations between Wayne State, local schools, small businesses, and civic organizations.

Roehrig says she was eight months pregnant when she started at Wayne State, making it difficult to juggle the responsibilities of single parenting and school work. Roehrig studied education and library science and has worked as a teacher and librarian in Detroit and Ferndale.

A Look at the University Board Races on the Ballot in Michigan

Suzanne Roehrig studied education and library science.

A look at the university board races on the ballot in Michigan

Suzanne Roehrig has worked as a teacher and librarian in Detroit and Ferndale.

Suzanne has worked as a teacher and librarian in Detroit and Ferndale.

# Suzanne Roehrig (W)

## Victories

Won 0 out of 1 generals.

Won 0 out of 0 primaries.

Won 0 out of 1 total contests.

Date | Stage | Office | District | Candidates
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
2024 Nov 5 | General Election | Governor of Wayne State University | State of Michigan | Rasha Demashkieh and 8 others ran for 2 seats. Candidates »

Candidate Votes %
Rasha Demashkieh Democratic 135,494 34.7%
Mark T. Gaffney Democratic 131,099 33.6%
Michael Busuito Republican 53,375 13.7%
Sunny Reddy Republican 51,744 13.3%
Suzanne Roehrig Working Class 6,397 1.6%

Washtenaw County Elections Database » Candidate: Suzanne Roehrig

Suzanne previously ran for governor of Wayne State University in 2024 but did not win.

As of September 4, 2026, Suzanne Roehrig did not have a website or any information online.

She says her education came at a financial cost, and believes college should be free.

“In the wealthiest country in the world, there is more than enough money to make this a reality,” Roehrig said. “The working class produces what is needed to run our society. They have a right to a free education.”

Suzanne Roehrig

As of September 4, 2026, Suzanne Roehrig’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Suzanne Roehrig earned a bachelor's degree in English literature, a master's degree in English education, and a master's degree in library and information science from Wayne State University.

Suzanne Roehrig is a retired high school teacher and media specialist/librarian.

Suzanne previously ran for Wayne State University Governor in 2024 but did not win.

- Advocates for making university education free and identifies tuition costs and student debt as pressing issues.

Suzanne Roehrig studied education and library science at Wayne State. She was a single parent when she started there while eight months pregnant.

Suzanne ran for governor of Wayne State University in 2024 but did not win.

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