Ballenger to offer his political commentary
Michigan’s premier political commentator, Bill Ballenger, headlines the fall 2023 ERC kick off Forum.
Involved in Michigan political circles for over three decades, Ballenger is a recognized authority on Michigan government and politics.
The 7:30 p.m. forum is open to the public.
“It’s an honor to host Mr. Ballenger again,” said ERC chair Mike Vethacke in a statement in advance of the meeting.
“Our Forum is open to the public at no charge, and we invite anyone interested in responsible government to attend and take part in the discussion following Mr. Ballenger’s presentation.”
Forum doors open for coffee and networking at 7 p.m., Vethacke added.
As a commentator, Ballenger is a prolific writer and analyst of the Michigan political landscape. Yet over the years, Ballenger, himself, has been the subject of stories. In one such story, the Detroit News dubbed him "Michigan's undisputed Crown Prince of Pundits."
Ballenger is founder and former editor of Lansing-based Inside Michigan Politics newsletter for 27 years when in 2016 he created his online Ballenger Report and now produces a weekly podcast.
He previously served as a Republican member of both the Michigan House of Representatives and the State Senate.
Ballenger has also served as Michigan racing commissioner and director of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulation.
He served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health, Education & Welfare under Gerald Ford.
Ballenger, a Flint native, has a bachelor's degree magna cum laude from Princeton and a master’s degree from the Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. From 2003 to 2007, he served as Robert P. & Marjorie Griffin Professor in American Government at Central Michigan University.
For many years Ballenger has been a panelist for Off the Record with Tim Skubick on Lansing’s WKAR-TV.
He is a frequent commentator on Michigan politics and government for newspapers and radio and television stations nationally and internationally, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Roll Call, USA Today, Associated Press and WJR radio.
The Eastside Republican Club Forum meets on the third Tuesday each month from September through May at the War Memorial. Admission is free and the public is always welcome.