Brent Comstock, the 29-year-old founder of the Lincoln-based multi-million dollar marketing firm BCom, announced Wednesday he’ll be running for the District 1 seat on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.
If elected, Comstock will succeed Regent Tim Clare, who announced he would not be seeking a 4th term on the board after 18 years of service. The District 1 seat on the NU Board of Regents covers the northern half of Lancaster County.
The affluent millennial is the son of a plumber and special education teacher, who grew up in southeast Nebraska, residing in Lincoln for the last decade. As the CEO of BCom, Comstock develops market strategies for both national and local clients, with a focus on “community impact.”
He told KLIN News on the day of his announcement, “I had never thought about seeking any particular elected office. But I knew if I did, I wanted to be able to have an impact in a way that I could apply the business skills that I’ve developed as well as the talents and understanding of what the rest of the world and the rest of the country is thinking about.”
He emphasized the University’s position as a local economic engine, prompting research, employment, and education opportunities for “Every Nebraskan, whether you’re in Benkelman or Auburn or Lincoln. The university is the most important public institution in the state. It impacts everyone.”
In December, Comstock was named a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. He pitched his story of founding BCom before graduating college, still too young to legally drink, and building it over 12 years as a “a test in grit and determination.”
“I’ve done it for 12 years. That’s two full regent terms. I think that that business building experience is really important,” said Comstock. “We are very connected in the community. We’ve done a lot of work with different sectors and clients, one of which has been doing a lot of work with elected leaders on their campaigns. So we know the process to get there, but more importantly, we know what it’s like when you have good, solid leaders in place that can deliver for the community and the state.”
Comstock is mindful of the shoe-size left to fill by Clare’s exit. He said Clare, a registered Republican in the technically nonpartisan seat, is likely “the most pro-University of Nebraska regent that the board has had.”
My hope in carrying that forward is, #1: Tim, like I do, cares deeply about the university for all of the reasons that it exists. And #2: The decisions made by the Board of Regents should be good for the university, because what’s good for the university is good for Nebraska. Not just a political talking point, but setting up the University for success. Doing that with conviction and standing true to the values of the institution.”
The influence of the national political climate, and it’s downstream effects on NU, is also not lost on Comstock. He described the landscape as “more toxic and noisy than its ever been.”
For this reason, Comstock bolstered his campaign announcement with a slate of bipartisan endorsements, including Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, Lincoln City Councilmembers (all democrats), Former Governor & U.S. Senator Ben Nelson, Former Republican State Sen. Matt Williams, and even Husker Volleyball announcer John Baylor.
“We wanted to build that coalition with this campaign because we knew what was happening in the national climate,” Comstock said. “I think a lot of people have said ‘Higher education should be a focus on developing young leaders.’ Those can be Republican leaders, Democrat leaders, and young leaders that don’t care about politics. But that’s the type of educational institution that we should want. We need to channel that noisiness into something positive.”
“Brent has helped put Lincoln on the map, not just as a nationally respected entrepreneur, but as a community builder who invests in people and place,” said Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird in a statement. “He’s exactly the kind of Regent we need right now.”
“His ability to work across sectors and across the aisle makes him exactly the kind of Regent we need to lead with vision, integrity and purpose. I’m proud to support his candidacy,” said Jeff Raikes, former Microsoft executive and Nebraska native who is the co-founder of the Raikes Foundation and previously served as the CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
A 90s baby, Comstock’s presence would bring the NU Board’s average age down a few years. But he thinks his proximity in age to the average 20-somethings student is needed.
“If I were 65 or 25, I would hope people consider what I could add to the conversation and how that could be valuable. The University is grappling with retaining and recruiting students—athletes, performing artists, academic scholars—not only from Nebraska, but from all over the country,” he said. “I bring the perspective ‘What’s it like to apply for a job right now? What’s it like to buy your first house? Those are the things that students are going through. Those are the things that faculty are going through.”
“I’m a little bit younger than some of the other folks, but I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t know I was ready on day one,” Comstock concluded.
For more information about his campaign, visit comstockforregent.com.