| John D. Cherry | |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2003 |
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| Governor | Jennifer Granholm |
| Preceded by | Dick Posthumus |
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Chairman, Lt. Governor's Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth
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Former Chairman and Ex-Officio, The National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA)
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Former Political Director , America's Union Movement
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| Born | May 5, 1951 Sulphur Springs, Texas |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Pamela M. Faris |
| Children | Meghan, John Daniel |
| Residence | Clio, Michigan |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan–Flint(M.P.A) University of Michigan (B.A.) |
| Profession | Politician |
| Website | Lt. Governor John Cherry |
John D. Cherry (born May 5, 1951) is the current Lieutenant Governor of the U.S. state of Michigan. Cherry also serves as a gubernatorial appointee to the Midwestern Higher Education Compact, and was the immediate past chair of the international Great Lakes Commission (of which he is still a member).[citation needed]
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Biography
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Cherry grew up in Montrose, Michigan and graduated from Hill-McCloy High School in Montrose in 1969. Cherry obtained a bachelors degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan in 1973 and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Michigan–Flint in 1984.
A former staff member to Michigan State Senator Gary Corbin, Cherry served as the state political director for the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, until 1982.[citation needed] He was then elected to the Michigan Legislature as a State Representative (1983-1986), State Senator (1987-2002) and Senate Minority Leader.
Cherry was elected in 2002 as the running mate of Democrat Jennifer Granholm, passing on his state senate seat to his sister Deborah Cherry. As the lieutenant governor, John Cherry presides over the State Senate, casting votes there in the event of a tie.
As lieutenant governor, John Cherry was elected chairman of the National Lieutenant Governor's Association (NLGA) in July 2006. John Cherry also chaired the Lt. Governor’s Commission on Higher Education & Economic Growth, with the commission making recommendations on higher education and the need to expand and retain Michigan's job base. The widely-acclaimed Cherry Commission report led to the Michigan Promise scholarship, the No Worker Left Behind program, and Michigan replacing the high school MEAP exam with the ACT.[citation needed] Michigan also increased the rigor of its K-12 curriculum and graduation requirements as a result of the Commission's work.[citation needed]
Michigan 2010
Cherry has officially and publicly announced to run for Governor of Michigan in 2010. The Michigan gubernatorial election, 2010 will be held on November 2, 2010. Incumbent governor Jennifer Granholm is legally barred from seeking a third term which created a large pool of potential candidates of at least seven Democrats and nine Republicans who are considering running for governor.
Honors
Cherry has been awarded an [Honorary Doctor of Laws] degree from Saginaw Valley State University and an Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from Central Michigan University.[citation needed] He has earned several awards including being recognized as "one of Michigan’s Most Effective Legislators" by The Detroit News and the 2005 Conservationist of the Year by the Michigan United Conservation Clubs.[citation needed]
Personal Life
Cherry is married to Pamela M. Faris. They have two adult children, Meghan and John Daniel, and one grandchild.
References
External links
- John Cherry official campaign website: A Democrat for Governnor
- Official biography
- Lt. Governor of Michigan website
- Lt. Governor’s Commission on Higher Education & Economic Growth
- Profile and posts on Michigan Liberal, a political blog
- The Political Graveyard
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by Dick Posthumus |
Lieutenant Governor of Michigan 2003 – Present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
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