Bill Ballenger, considered one of Michigan's leading political pundits, will speak about the 2010 elections during a seminar Wednesday night in Ann Arbor.

Bill Ballenger

A former state representative and senator, Ballenger is currently the editor and publisher of Inside Michigan Politics and is a recognized authority on Michigan government and politics.

Ballenger will appear at 7 p.m. at Annenberg Auditorium, 735 S. State St., on the University of Michigan campus.

The "Politics and Governance in Michigan" event is being put on by the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.

The event is free and open to the public.

Ballenger is a regular commentator and political analyst for several major newspapers, television stations and radio stations, including Michigan Public Radio, Public Television's "Off the Record" and "The News Hour with Jim Lehrer."

Ballenger recently told The Detroit News it's crucial that Virg Bernero engage Rick Snyder in debates to give voters a chance to see the two gubernatorial candidates side-by-side — though he and other experts agree that Snyder has nothing to gain and a lot to lose if he participates. Snyder and Bernero have yet to agree on debate terms.

Ballenger served as deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Health Department, Education & Welfare in the administration of former President Gerald R. Ford.

He holds a bachelor's degree magna cum laude from Princeton University and a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University. He is a visiting adjunct professor at U-M Flint, Michigan State University and Western Michigan University.

Other sponsors of Wednesday's event include the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy and the Association for Public Policy About Learning and Education.

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.