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 | June 4, 1930 Paris Township, Michigan |
| 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]