State

Regent of the University of Michigan

Vote for: 2
Term: 8 years
Candidates: 6
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The eight regents govern the University of Michigan: they set tuition and the budget, and hire the university's president.

Candidates Compare by issue

Amir Makled

Democratic

Civil rights attorney · Dearborn

The gist

Proposes pausing U-M tuition increases
Proposes affordable units in privately built campus housing
Supports U-M challenging federal government actions in court
Supports pay parity for Dearborn and Flint campus workers
Supports protecting campus protest speech from retaliation

More about Amir

View sources (2)

Proposes pausing U-M tuition increases
Meet Amir Makled, the progressive challenger running for a spot on the Board of Regents
Interview · The Michigan Daily · Mar 16, 2026 · michigandaily.com
“This board has the opportunity to pause tuition increases and stop the bleeding of the cost of public education.”
Proposes affordable units in privately built campus housing
Meet Amir Makled, the progressive challenger running for a spot on the Board of Regents
Interview · The Michigan Daily · Mar 16, 2026 · michigandaily.com
“They should have a percentage of those units become affordable for students, or faculty or staff for that matter.”
Supports U-M challenging federal government actions in court
Meet Amir Makled, the progressive challenger running for a spot on the Board of Regents
Interview · The Michigan Daily · Mar 16, 2026 · michigandaily.com
“argues that the University of Michigan should be more willing to challenge government actions in court.”
Supports pay parity for Dearborn and Flint campus workers
Meet Amir Makled, the progressive challenger running for a spot on the Board of Regents
Interview · The Michigan Daily · Mar 16, 2026 · michigandaily.com
“We’re not seeing any parity with the pay structure for the faculty and the staff and the workers at those campuses”
Supports protecting campus protest speech from retaliation
Amir Makled for U of M Regent
Campaign website · Amir Makled for Regent · amirmakled.com
“including the right of students and faculty to speak out against injustice without fear of retaliation or surveillance.”

Lena Epstein

Republican

Co-owner and executive, Vesco Oil Corporation

The gist

Pledges to hold the line on U-M tuition
Supports more U-M seats for in-state students
Supports lowering student housing costs and more need-based aid
Pledges to combat antisemitism and harassment on campus
Opposes divestment campaigns targeting U-M's endowment (BDS)
Supports expanding U-M research partnerships with Israel

More about Lena

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Pledges to hold the line on U-M tuition
Lena Epstein for U of M Regent
Campaign website · Lena Epstein for University of Michigan Regent · lenaforuofm.com
“Hold the line on tuition through disciplined budgeting that prioritizes the classroom over administrative growth.”
Supports more U-M seats for in-state students
Lena Epstein for U of M Regent
Campaign website · Lena Epstein for University of Michigan Regent · lenaforuofm.com
“Open more seats for in-state students at Michigan's flagship.”
Supports lowering student housing costs and more need-based aid
Lena Epstein for U of M Regent
Campaign website · Lena Epstein for University of Michigan Regent · lenaforuofm.com
“Bring down the cost of student housing and expand need-based aid.”
Pledges to combat antisemitism and harassment on campus
Lena Epstein for U of M Regent
Campaign website · Lena Epstein for University of Michigan Regent · lenaforuofm.com
“Keep every student safe and combat antisemitism and harassment on campus.”
Opposes divestment campaigns targeting U-M's endowment (BDS)
About Lena - Lena Epstein for U of M Regent
Campaign website · Lena Epstein for University of Michigan Regent · lenaforuofm.com
“Strongly opposes divestment campaigns that politicize the university’s endowment and restrict academic engagement.”
Supports expanding U-M research partnerships with Israel
About Lena - Lena Epstein for U of M Regent
Campaign website · Lena Epstein for University of Michigan Regent · lenaforuofm.com
“Strengthen research collaborations with Israel in medicine, cybersecurity, and technology”

Michael Schostak

Republican

Bloomfield Township Treasurer · Bloomfield Township

The gist

Proposes at least 60% of undergraduates be Michigan residents
Proposes removing home equity from U-M financial aid formula
Supports protecting students' and faculty's free expression
Supports regents acting to expand Ann Arbor student housing
Pledges spending transparency across U-M's budget

More about Michael

View sources (1)

Proposes at least 60% of undergraduates be Michigan residents
Michael Schostak for University of Michigan Regent
Campaign website · Michael Schostak for Regent · michaelschostak.com
“I'll push for at least 60% of undergraduates to be Michigan residents.”
Proposes removing home equity from U-M financial aid formula
Michael Schostak for University of Michigan Regent
Campaign website · Michael Schostak for Regent · michaelschostak.com
“home equity and small business assets should be removed from the financial aid formula.”
Supports protecting students' and faculty's free expression
Michael Schostak for University of Michigan Regent
Campaign website · Michael Schostak for Regent · michaelschostak.com
“No student or faculty member should fear for their safety, property, or academic standing because of their beliefs”
Supports regents acting to expand Ann Arbor student housing
Michael Schostak for University of Michigan Regent
Campaign website · Michael Schostak for Regent · michaelschostak.com
“The Regents must take an active role in expanding supply and ensuring Ann Arbor remains accessible for Michigan families.”
Pledges spending transparency across U-M's budget
Michael Schostak for University of Michigan Regent
Campaign website · Michael Schostak for Regent · michaelschostak.com
“I'll bring the same discipline to U-M's $15B+ budget — demanding transparency and accountability at every level.”

Andrew Chadderdon

Libertarian

The gist

No documented position found.

More about Andrew

Kyle Maas

U.S. Taxpayers

The gist

No documented position found.

More about Kyle

Paul Brown

DemocraticIncumbent

Managing partner, eLab Ventures; U-M regent · Ann Arbor

The gist

Supported expanding free tuition to families earning $125,000
Voted for a union-organizing neutrality policy at U-M
Supports U-M's campus-wide carbon neutrality commitment
Supports barring ICE from campus-controlled property
Supports expanding university housing so any student can stay

More about Paul

View sources (2)

Supported expanding free tuition to families earning $125,000
Accomplishments - Paul Brown for UM Regent
Campaign website · Paul Brown for UofM Regent · gobluevotebrown.com
“Paul grew the Go Blue Guarantee, making a University of Michigan education tuition-free for Michigan families earning up to $125,000 per year.”
Voted for a union-organizing neutrality policy at U-M
Meet Paul Brown, the Democratic incumbent seeking another term on the Board of Regents
Interview · The Michigan Daily · Mar 16, 2026 · michigandaily.com
“We passed a very favorable kind of neutrality policy around organizing”
Supports U-M's campus-wide carbon neutrality commitment
Accomplishments - Paul Brown for UM Regent
Campaign website · Paul Brown for UofM Regent · gobluevotebrown.com
“Paul has committed the University to campus-wide carbon neutrality”
Supports barring ICE from campus-controlled property
Accomplishments - Paul Brown for UM Regent
Campaign website · Paul Brown for UofM Regent · gobluevotebrown.com
“He established a “sanctuary campus” by prohibiting ICE from accessing campus-controlled property”
Supports expanding university housing so any student can stay
Meet Paul Brown, the Democratic incumbent seeking another term on the Board of Regents
Interview · The Michigan Daily · Mar 16, 2026 · michigandaily.com
“We’re going to continue that effort to allow any student to remain in University housing”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 7 issues covered in this race.