Robert VanderLaan
Robert VanderLaan | |
---|---|
5th Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate | |
In office 1971–1974 | |
Preceded by | Emil Lockwood |
Succeeded by | Milton Zaagman |
Member of the Michigan Senate from the 31st district 17th District (1963-1964) | |
In office January 1, 1963 – December 31, 1982 | |
Preceded by | |
Succeeded by | Dick Posthumus |
Personal details | |
Born | Paris Township, Michigan | June 4, 1930
Died | November 1, 2015 | (aged 85)
Political party | Republican |
Robert "Robbie" VanderLaan (c. 1930-November 1, 2015[1]) was a former majority leader of the Michigan State Senate.[2] A Republican, he ran to replace Gerald Ford as representative for Michigan's 5th congressional district in a 1974 special election, but was defeated by Democrat Richard Vander Veen. It was seen as a stunning upset, as VanderLaan had never yet lost an election. He served in the Senate for 20 years in total; after retirement he joined Democrat Bobby Crim in forming a lobbying firm; he also had a career as a lawyer.[3]
References[]
Categories:
- 1930s births
- 2015 deaths
- American people of Dutch descent
- Michigan state senators
- Michigan Republicans
- Michigan lawyers
- Politicians from Grand Rapids, Michigan
- People from Kentwood, Michigan
- 20th-century American lawyers
- Michigan politician stubs