Career
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. lieutenant was seen as a stunning upset, as VanderLaan had never yet lost an election. He served in the state 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