Joseph A. Backus

About this race

Governs a public community college district. The elected board sets college policy, approves the budget, oversees academic programs and hires and evaluates the college president or chancellor, who runs the college day to day.

9 candidates ran for Macomb Community College Board of Trustees Member in the general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Only voters in this district.

About Joseph A. Backus

Retired high school teacher. A St. Clair Shores resident who taught high school for about 30 years, including 18 at Eastpointe Community Schools. He holds a master's in educational leadership, a bachelor's in education and two associate degrees from Macomb Community College; he also ran for this board in 2024.

What they say they'll focus on:

• Reducing costs for students
• Opposing tuition increases
• Supporting in-person instruction
• Consistent, fair grading

Summarized in our words from source 1, source 2, checked October 2026. Not an endorsement.

Where they stand

This is a nonpartisan race, so we don't estimate where candidates fall from their campaign materials or look up their personal voter registration. We'd place Joseph A. Backus only with a published academic score (from a voting record or campaign donors), and we haven't found one we can reliably source.

We haven't found a campaign site or candidate questionnaire for Joseph A. Backus yet. What they say they'll focus on is listed above.

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Also running

• Frank Cusumano
• Dwayne Anthony Haywood
• Drake Kress
• Ronald P. Papa
• Vito Pianello
• Richard D. Shaffer
• Shelley Vitale
• Vince Viviano

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Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Quick answers

What does the Macomb Community College Board of Trustees Member seat do?

Governs a public community college district. The elected board sets college policy, approves the budget, oversees academic programs and hires and evaluates the college president or chancellor, who runs the college day to day.

Who is Joseph A. Backus running against?

Frank Cusumano, Dwayne Anthony Haywood, Drake Kress, Ronald P. Papa, Vito Pianello, Richard D. Shaffer, Shelley Vitale and Vince Viviano, for Macomb Community College Board of Trustees Member.

Should I vote for Joseph A. Backus?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Compare Joseph A. Backus's record, funding and endorsements with the other candidates in this race and decide based on what matters to you.