Tebay Zemke seeks reelection to MSU trustee board

Kelly Tebay Zemke, a Democrat and incumbent Michigan State University trustee, is seeking reelection in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Ten candidates are competing for two eight-year seats, according to the Michigan Department of State’s candidate list. Michigan voters may choose up to two candidates in the statewide race.

The Plymouth-Canton Post candidate questionnaire was sent to Kelly Tebay Zemke’s campaign. No response was received as of Oct. 30, 2026. The policy positions below are drawn from her public campaign website and public records.

The other candidates are Democrat Brianna Scott; Republicans Julie Maday and Roger Victory; Libertarians Daniel R. Patterson and Will Tyler White; U.S. Taxpayers Party candidates Janet Sanger and John Sanger; Green Party candidate John Anthony La Pietra; and Working Class Party candidate Yaz Ozbek.

Candidate information

Party: Democratic.
Office sought: Michigan State University Board of Trustees.
Current role: MSU trustee.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in international relations and master’s degree in law enforcement intelligence and analysis, Michigan State University.
Background: Raised in Shelby Township and Yale.

Her education and background are described in her campaign biography.

Experience and public service

Tebay Zemke began an eight-year term on the Board of Trustees on Jan. 1, 2019, according to her university biography. She served as board chair in 2025.

Her university biography lists her as director of government and external relations at The Henry Ford in Dearborn. Her earlier career included political fundraising and corporate relations work.

Her campaign biography also describes service on the board of Volunteers of America Michigan.

On the issues

The following positions come from Tebay Zemke’s campaign priorities page.

College affordability: Tebay Zemke supports expanding Spartan Advantage, MSU’s financial aid program for eligible low-income students. She also proposes adding support for housing and meals to address costs beyond tuition.

Student health care: Tebay Zemke says she wants to expand access to affordable student health services. Her campaign describes broader access to care as a goal for another term.

Student support: Tebay Zemke supports addressing barriers that prevent students from enrolling, completing their degrees and succeeding after graduation. Her campaign frames access and degree completion as central to MSU’s public mission.

Sexual assault response: Her campaign highlights support for survivor services and increased resources addressing relationship violence and sexual misconduct. She identifies accountability and changes to campus culture as priorities.

Labor rights: Tebay Zemke supports university employees’ ability to organize. Her campaign cites the board’s adoption of a policy requiring administrative neutrality during union organizing and allowing recognition through signed authorization cards.