Amir Makled, a civil rights attorney who completed high school in Northville, is running as a Democrat for the University of Michigan Board of Regents in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Six 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 Rochester Register candidate questionnaire was sent to Amir Makled’s campaign. No response was received as of Oct. 28, 2026. The policy positions below are drawn from his public campaign website and public records.

The other candidates are Democrat Paul Brown, Republicans Lena Epstein and Michael Schostak, Libertarian Andrew Chadderdon and Kyle Maas of the U.S. Taxpayers Party.

The university’s Board of Regents has eight elected members serving staggered eight-year terms.

Candidate information

  • Party: Democratic.
  • Office sought: University of Michigan Board of Regents.
  • Background: Grew up in Dearborn before his family moved to Northville, where he completed high school, according to The Arab American News.
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration in finance, University of Michigan-Dearborn, 2009; law degree, Wayne State University, 2012, according to his firm biography.

The Arab American News describes Makled as the son of Lebanese immigrants and the first member of his family to graduate from law school.

Experience and public service

Makled is a partner at Hall Makled Law, where his practice includes civil rights, personal injury and criminal defense in state and federal courts.

His firm biography says he began his legal career in 2012 working alongside attorney Cyril Hall.

Makled also served as a student senator at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, according to Michigan Public.

His legal work has included representing a defendant in a case involving pro-Palestinian protests at the University of Michigan. The attorney general’s office moved to dismiss felony charges against seven protesters in May 2025, Michigan Public reported.

On the issues

The following positions come from Makled’s campaign website.

Affordability and access: Makled supports protecting affordability and expanding access at the university’s Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint campuses. His platform calls for equitable resources and representation regardless of students’ income, background or location.

“Higher education should open doors, not create lifelong debt,” his website states.

Workers’ and students’ rights: Makled supports fair treatment of faculty, staff and health care workers throughout the university system. His campaign links employees’ working conditions to students’ success.

“Students thrive when workers are respected,” his website states.

Academic freedom and free speech: Makled supports protecting students’ and faculty members’ ability to express their views without retaliation or surveillance. His campaign identifies academic freedom and free expression as central university responsibilities.

University governance and accountability: Makled proposes greater transparency and ethical decision-making. He says university leadership should be accountable to the public rather than political pressure or powerful interests.

“Public trust requires transparency,” his website states.

Endorsements

The Michigan AFL-CIO endorsement list includes Makled for the University of Michigan Board of Regents.

AFSCME Michigan 925 also lists him among its endorsed candidates.

Voters can find additional information about Makled’s background and proposals on his campaign website.