Robert VanderLaan
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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 | |
In office January 1, 1963 – December 31, 1982 | |
Preceded by | Charles R. Feenstra |
Succeeded by | Dick Posthumus |
Constituency | 17th district (1963–1964) 31st district (1965–1982) |
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; VanderLaan had previously never lost an election and the district had long been considered a Republican stronghold. 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]
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