Candidate:
State Board of Education
Tom McMillin
Republican
Tom McMillin
OUTCOME: Republicans Tom McMillin and Nikki Snyder were elected to the Michigan State Board of Education in this statewide race. (In Washtenaw County, Democrats Ish Amhed and John Austin received a majority of votes.) For more results, check the Washtenaw County elections site.
Tom McMillin is a former Michigan state representative, representing District 45 from 2009-2014. He was nominated as a candidate for the state Board of Education at the Republican Party convention on Aug. 27, 2016.
In 2014, McMillin was a Republican primary candidate for District 8 of the U.S. House of Representatives, but was defeated in the primary by Mike Bishop. Before his tenure in the state legislature, McMillin was mayor of Auburn Hills and a member of the Oakland County Commission. He is a certified public accountant.
While serving in the state House, McMillin was chair of the House Education Committee. He opposed state funding of the Common Core school standards, and generally opposed efforts to centralize decisions at the state level related to K-12 schools.
McMillin received a bachelor's degree in accounting/economics from the University of Michigan. He and his wife Dalila McMillin live in Rochester Hills and have two children. He also has an adult daughter from his first marriage.
Tom McMillin: In The News
Michigan education board candidates share ideas on improving schools – Detroit Free Press, Oct. 27, 2016
11 candidates vying for 2 spots on State Board of Education – MLive, Oct. 25, 2016
Tom McMillin to Gov. Rick Snyder: ‘Let’s have an adult conversation’ about Proposal 1 – Oakland Press, March 27, 2015
Republicans & Democrats vying for Michigan's open 8th congressional district seat – Michigan Radio, July 28, 2014
Tea Party Express Endorses State Representative Tom McMillin for Congress in Michigan’s 8th Congressional District – Tea Party Express press release, July 2014
Rep. Tom McMillin finds balance as a Tea Party conservative and ACLU sympathizer – MLIve, Feb. 19, 2014
State House approves funding for Common Core school standards – Michigan Radio, Sept. 26, 2013
Are Michigan state lawmakers smarter than third graders? A new bill might help us find out – Michigan Radio, Aug. 23, 2013
Tom McMillin, Michigan State Representative, Implies That Being Gay Is A Choice – Huffington Post, Oct. 8, 2012
Online searchable "checkbook" proposed for state universities – Michigan Radio, April 25, 2012
Interview With New House Education Committee Chairman, State Rep. Tom McMillin – Michigan Capitol Confidential, Nov. 19, 2011