Education
University of Groningen.
University of Groningen.
De Graaf, a civil servant by occupation, worked for the Ministry of the Interior from 1975 until 1981. Afterwards he served as Mayor of Leersum from 16 June 1981 until 16 January 1989 when he became Mayor of Vught, serving until 16 February 1999 when he became Mayor of Apeldoorn, serving until his resignation on 1 October 2011. He served as the Parliamentary leader of the People"s Party for Freedom and Democracy in the Senate from 14 October 2010 until 15 February 2011.
De Graaf announced his resignation as President of the Senate of the Netherlands following criticism on his neutrality.
He remained in office until Ankie Broekers-Knol was elected as successor.
He was a Member of the Senate from 10 June 2003 till 9 June 2015, and has been Acting Mayor of Enschede since 10 January 2015. He was as a member of the municipal council of Voorschoten from 1978 to 1981.