Mike Balow
Republican | Michigan
Candidate Profile*
Conservative (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Mike Balow
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
Trustee, Mich. State Univ.
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, Bachelor of Science, 1994
WORK & MILITARY
U.S. Navy, Lieutenant, 1994-2001
AFFILIATIONS
St. Lazarus Church, Detroit, President, Plymouth Canton Steelers youth football league
President, Michigan Youth Football and Cheer League, Treasurer
Lake Pointe Homeowners Association, President, Livonia-Westland Chamber of Commerce
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (1)
*Citizens for Traditional Values-Michigan
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)
POSSE, Survivors of Sexual Assault at Michigan State University
Former MSU Trustee Patrick O'Keefe
Over 400 state delegates that make up the Michigan Conservative Coalition
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
Emily Bauman (2022)
Kevin Rinke (2022)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2022)
State Republican Party Organizations (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (8)
Angela Rigas (2022)
Bob Genetski (2022)
David Staudt (2022)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2022)
Mary Whiteford (2022)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Agree
Does not apply to the position being sought. This is a university trustee post which does not make policy on life positions.
What role should the school serve in helping a student with an unwanted or crisis pregnancy?
The school should offer human support, meaning, there is obviously a young women in crisis, help her by reassuring her that it will be OK. The school cannot direct her to do anything.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
What is your position on government funding of public education from Pre-K through college?
Funding of school through grade 12 is essential, and some funding of college is essential. Government should force colleges to be more accountable to the students through lower tuition and fees, and stop the continued subsidizing of huge college costs through encouraging students to keep borrowing more.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
The Ten Commandments should not be displayed in public school buildings or court houses.
Disagree
Certain historical documents form the foundation of our constitutional government, though I do believe in the separation of church and state. Local governments should be able to choose what is best for them.
At school, students should be able to speak freely and civilly about matters of conscience and faith, including Christianity.
Strongly Agree
Teachers should be required to instruct students on mandated curriculum even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Neutral
We need to ensure that we teach students a rigorous core curriculum, and teachers are accountable to deliver on that, but there may be situations where teachers have an honest conflict, and those can be dealt with on a case by case basis.
NATIONAL SECURITY
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes, it is very important. Israel is a democracy, and a long time ally. The U.S. played a crucial role in the creation of the state of Israel in 1948, and our partnership remains critical to the survival of the Jewish state today. However, again I will note that this is a University board position which does not make U.S. foreign policy nor contribute to its formation.
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
History has shown, repeatedly, that the U.S. requires a strong military presence for its self-defense through deterrence, and also to represent U.S. interests around the globe, and those of our allies. However, again I will note that this is a University board position which does not make U.S. defense policy nor contribute to its formation.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Neutral
We should continually look for ways to best support our students and our schools through best practices and the best use of tax dollars. I am not an advocate of the U.S. Department of Education, but nor do I support its direct elimination, because it can provide resources for local use. I favor solving issues at the local level, for example, local school boards.
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child instead of the bureaucracy, through a program which allows parents the freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Strongly Agree
Which type of written parental consent should be obtained before students are taught courses such as Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE)? (A) Opt-In. (B) Opt-Out. (C) None.
This does not apply to the university board, as all students are 18 and older.
Abortion and gender-affirming providers, including Planned Parenthood, should be a resource for instruction or services in the school.
Strongly Disagree
The schools should not be involved in this. It is a public health issue. I'm not aware of what the term "gender affirming provider" even means.
Please list in order the following priorities in relation to the role of a K-12 public school (omitting any that do not apply): American History, Art & Music, Civics, Critical Race Theory, Foreign Language, Gender Identity, Information Technology, Language Arts, Mathematics, Personal Finances, Physical Fitness, Political Activism, Science, Sexuality, Social Emotional Learning, Vocational Learning
I am running for a university board position where all students are 18 and older.
VALUES
Children have the right to be protected from sexual grooming including drag shows, explicit materials in schools and libraries, and other public venues.
Strongly Agree
This has no place in our schools.
Marriage between one man and one woman and the families they form are the foundation of civilization and are fundamental to the well-being and prosperity of society.
Agree
As a trustee, I have no place to say how people should live there lives, but I think it is very important that we do not "devalue" the traditional family.
No healthcare diagnosis or treatment, whether mental, reproductive, or otherwise, should be given to a child without first receiving written consent from the parent.
Strongly Agree
Children (under 18) need parental consent.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian, and believe in God. I do not try to impress my beliefs upon others, and believe in the separation of Church and State. I believe that faith was central to the founding of the United States, "One Nation Under God". I like to lead by example, rather than tell people what and how I believe.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Nobody should be allowed to vote without adequate photo identification. It is so easy to get photo ID, there is NO reason why anyone should even expect to be able to vote without it.
EQUALITY
I support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
Strongly Disagree
I do not support DEI the way it is being used today. However, I do believe in the health of a business or organization that has people of different races and ethnicities, and I believe in being in inclusive and giving everyone a fair shot. I also believe in trying to help those less fortunate than myself in any way I can. Lastly, I believe in equality of opportunity, not equality of outcomes. All of us bear personal responsibility for our own actions and our own successes.
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
I feel strongly that it is morally and legally wrong to allow biological males to compete with women. I also believe that it is a violation of Title IX, as it relates to equal opportunity for women.
ABOUT YOU
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2014 Republican Primary 2014 General Election 2016 Republican Primary 2016 General Election 2018 Republican Primary 2018 General Election 2020 Republican Primary 2020 General Election 2022 Republican Primary 2022 General Election
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
NO
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
NO
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Choose not to answer
I'd rather state my beliefs and let my actions speak for me. Here is an example: I find it beyond reprehensible that 546 women were sexually abused by MSU's gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, over many years, and, since he has been imprisoned in 2018, MSU has abandoned their duty to justice and refused to do an investigation into "who knew what and when", because protecting their reputation was more important than the safety of our young women on campus. I stand with the survivors and the truth.
2ND AMENDMENT
Faculty who are licensed to carry and have had ongoing training should be allowed to carry guns at school in order to respond to an active shooter situation.
Strongly Agree
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Under what circumstances (if any) should schools be allowed to require vaccinations?
Generally speaking, I do not think that schools should require vaccinations which have not been completely and properly vetted through the traditional, rigorous process.
