# Dianne Byrum

Dianne Byrum (born March 18, 1954) is an American university trustee and Democratic politician from Michigan. Byrum is a trustee for the Michigan State University and a partner with Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications, an East Lansing, Mich.-based public relations firm.

## Early life

On March 18, 1954, Byrum was born in Jackson, Michigan.

## Education

In 1973, Byrum earned an Associates of Art degree from Lansing Community College. The following year, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Michigan State University College of Agriculture.

## Career

In 1983, Byrum became the owner and operator of Byrum Ace Hardware.
In 1980, Byrum's political career started when she served as a Commissioner for Ingham County Board of Commissioner until 1990. On November 6, 1990, Byrum won the election and became a Democratic member of Michigan House of Representatives for District 58. On January 9, 1991, Byrum was sworn into the office. On November 3, 1992, Byrum won the election and became a Democratic member of Michigan House of Representatives for District 68. On January 13, 1993, Byrum sworn into office. On November 8, 1994, Byrum won the election and became a member of Michigan Senate for District 25. On January 11, 1995, Byrum sworn into the office. In November 1996, as an incumbent state senator, Byrum won the election and continued serving District 25. In November 1998 as an incumbent, Byrum won the election and continued serving District 25. In November 2000, Byrum lost a US House election to Republican Mike Rogers. On November 5, 2002, Byrum won the election and became a Democratic member of Michigan House of Representatives for District 67. On November 2, 2004, as an incumbent, Byrum won the election and continued serving District 67. In November 2006, Byrum did not seek a seat for District 67.
In 2008, Byrum was first elected to the Michigan State University board of trustees. In 2016, Byrum was re-elected as trustee. She was on the Board during the USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal and was the second trustee calling for MSU President Lou Anna Simon to resign. In 2019, Byrum was elected as the chair person of Michigan State University Board of Trustee. Byrum's term ends in 2025.

## Electoral history

Michigan State University Board of Trustees election 2008 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Democratic | Dianne Byrum | 2,186,120 | 26 | 4 |
| Democratic | Diann Woodard | 2,104,266 | 25 | 3 |
| Republican | G. Scott Romney | 1,793,777 | 22 | −3 |
| Republican | Lisa Bouchard | 1,725,884 | 21 | −4 |
Michigan House of Representatives election 2004 (District 67) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Dianne Byrum (Incumbent) | 25,709 | 54.8 | 10.6 |
| | Republican | Beth Chandler | 21,205 | 44.2 | |
Michigan House of Representatives election 2002 (District 67) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Dianne Byrum | 19,138 | 58.9 | 17.8 |
| | Republican | Donald Vickers | 13,331 | 41.1 | |
U.S. House of Representatives election 2000 (District 8) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Dianne Byrum | 145,079 | 48.7 | |
| | Republican | Mike Rogers | 145,190 | 48.8 | .1 |
Michigan Senate election 1998 (District 25) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Dianne Byrum (Incumbent) | 55,200 | 68.1 | 36.2 |
| | Republican | Pat Gallagher | 25,816 | 31.9 | |

## Personal life

Byrum's husband is Jim Byrum. They have two children, Barbara Byrum and James Byrum. Byrum and her family live in Onondaga, Michigan.