Robert "Robbie" VanderLaan (c. 1930-November 1, 2015) was a former majority leader of the Michigan State Senate. 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.
Born |
4 June 1930 Paris Township, Michigan
|
Died |
1 November 2015 (aged 85)
|
Zodiac | Gemini |
Tags | Add tag |