Brandon Kolo (Royal Oak City Commission At-large, Michigan, candidate 2025)

Ballotpedia does not currently maintain this page. Please contact us with any updates.

Brandon Kolo

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Royal Oak City Commission At-large

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 4, 2025

Education

Bachelor's

Michigan State University, 2008

Personal

Profession

Project manager

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Brandon Kolo ran for election to the Royal Oak City Commission At-large in Michigan. He was on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.

Kolo completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Brandon Kolo provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 6, 2025:

• Bachelor's: Michigan State University, 2008
• Gender: Male
• Profession: Project Manager
• Prior offices held:
  • Royal Oak City Commissioner (2020-Prsnt)
• Incumbent officeholder: Yes
• Campaign website
• Campaign endorsements
• Campaign Facebook
• Campaign Instagram

Elections

General election

General election for Royal Oak City Commission At-large (3 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for Royal Oak City Commission At-large on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Paul Bastian (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	David Buzynski (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Woody Gontina (Nonpartisan)
		Brandon Kolo (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Carolyn Martz (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Eric Smethurst (Nonpartisan)

---

	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Endorsements

To view Kolo's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Kolo in this election.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Brandon Kolo completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Kolo's responses.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Commissioner Brandon Kolo is a father, husband, and small-business owner with a passion for our community. He and his wife, Carly, are raising their children in Royal Oak, and Brandon is proud to dedicate himself to the betterment of our city. He has served as vice president of the Royal Oak Library Board, and as a commissioner he has served on the Parks & Recreation Board and City/School Liaison Committee. He also chairs the Oakland County Zoo Authority and serves on the Detroit Zoological Society’s Board of Directors. Brandon holds a B.S. from Michigan State University and professional expertise in project management and sustainable technology.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Strong Neighborhoods Royal Oak’s neighborhoods are the heart of our city. Since I joined the commission, we’ve invested over $23 million in park upgrades, strengthened our tree protection ordinance, and adopted a community benefits policy that ensures new development brings real value to residents. I’ll continue prioritizing parks, trees, and responsible growth that enhances quality of life and keeps Royal Oak’s neighborhoods strong for generations to come.
• Excellent City Services Residents expect a city government that works for them — responsive, transparent, and effective. I’ve helped expand senior and recreation programs, supported investments in public safety, and improved communication with residents. My focus remains on maintaining high-quality city services, ensuring Royal Oak stays one of the safest, most livable cities in the nation.
• Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure I believe in planning for the future. We’ve planted over 800 trees a year, invested in green stormwater systems to prevent flooding, and adopted policies that make our homes and businesses more energy-efficient. Our infrastructure should protect both people and the planet, keeping rainwater in the ground, out of basements, and ensuring Royal Oak continues leading the way in environmental sustainability.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about keeping Royal Oak a place where people love to live. That means investing in our parks and tree canopy, making it easier for seniors to stay in their homes, and making sure every neighborhood feels safe and connected. I care deeply about sustainability and using smart, green solutions to fix everyday problems like flooding. Most of all, I believe local government should listen, respond, and work with residents to make good things happen in our community.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want Royal Oak to be a place where my kids can grow up, build their lives, and stay. A place where someone can buy their first home, raise a family, or enjoy their retirement years. My hope is that our city continues to offer housing that fits every stage of life and remains welcoming to everyone who wants to call Royal Oak home. That’s the legacy I want to leave — a strong, inclusive community that lasts for generations.

What is your favorite book? Why?

My kids and I read The Book With No Pictures all the time — it’s definitely a household favorite and always gets everyone laughing. After they’re in bed, I’ve really enjoyed reading the Alexander Hamilton biography. I’m amazed by how much Hamilton accomplished in his lifetime and how his ideas helped shape the foundation of our government.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

I think it’s important for anyone in this role to understand how local government actually works. Commissioners need to work closely with our city administration, boards, and committees, as well as build strong relationships with regional, county, state, and federal partners. Knowing how municipal government functions helps make those collaborations more effective and ensures we can get real results for our residents

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?

Decisions made in Washington or Lansing can feel far away, but the ones made at City Hall shape our daily lives. As a city commissioner, it’s my job to listen to our professional staff, learn the details of each issue, and hear from residents before making decisions. At the end of the day, I have to cast the vote I believe is best for Royal Oak — and those choices directly affect how our community grows, feels, and functions.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Haley Stevens, US Congresswoman

Stephanie Chang, State Senator
Mallory McMorrow, State Senator
Natalie Price, State Representative
Dave Coulter, Oakland County Executive
Jim Nash, Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner
Robert Wittenberg, Oakland County
Dave Woodward, Chair, Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Mike Fournier, Mayor of Royal Oak
Monica Hunt, Royal Oak Mayor Pro Tem
Royal Oak Police Officers Association
Royal Oak Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 431
AFSCME 958
The Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council
IBEW Local 58
Laborers' International Union of North America
​Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters
Sheetmetal Workers Local 80
UAW Region 1
​Greater Royal Oak Area Democratic Club​​​

Sierra Club

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2025 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel Union Station

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

Royal Oak City Commission At-large

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Personal

LinkedIn