Connie Binsfeld

Connie Binsfeld
60th Lieutenant Governor of Michigan
In office
January 1, 1991 – January 1, 1999
Governor John Engler
Preceded by Martha Griffiths
Succeeded by Dick Posthumus
Member of the Michigan Senate
from the 36th district
In office
January 1, 1983 – December 31, 1990
Preceded by John Engler
Succeeded by John Pridnia
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
from the 104th district
In office
January 1, 1975 – December 31, 1982
Preceded by Michael A. Dively
Succeeded by Thomas G. Power
Personal details
Born (1924-04-18)April 18, 1924
Munising, Michigan, U.S.
Died January 12, 2014(2014-01-12) (aged 89)
Glen Lake, Michigan, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) John Binsfeld

Connie Berube Binsfeld (April 18, 1924 – January 12, 2014) was a Republican politician from the U.S. State of Michigan. She served as the 60th Lieutenant Governor of Michigan. Starting as an advocate for the environment in planning for the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore, she also was known for protecting interests of women and children. She was the first woman to hold leadership posts in Michigan's House, Senate and executive branch, where she served four terms in the House, two in the Senate, and two as Lieutenant Governor.

Biography

Born Connie Berube in Munising, Michigan in 1924,[1] she attended local schools. After graduating from high school, Berube went to Siena Heights College.[2] After she married in the 1940s, she and her husband settled near Detroit and had a family. She later taught high school history and politics.

Binsfeld became involved in local politics in Leelanau County, Michigan, where she and her family moved to Glen Lake from Detroit in 1968. She headed a citizens' council to participate in planning for the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore. She served 10 years on the Great Lakes Commission.[3]

Recognized for her speaking and leadership, Binsfeld was first elected to political office as county commissioner for Leelanau County, Michigan. In 1974, she was elected to the first of four successive terms in the Michigan House of Representatives. She would later serve two terms in the Michigan Senate. As a member of the Legislature, she was known for sponsoring some of the strongest legislation to address domestic violence, and was known as an advocate for women and children. She continued her interest in the environment. At the time of her death, Gov. Rick Snyder noted the importance of her sponsoring the Sand Dunes Protection Act and introducing the 1983 Quality of Life Bonding Bill for cleanup of areas.[3]

In 1990, Binsfeld was selected to be the running mate of Republican gubernatorial candidate John Engler. She took office as the state's 58th lieutenant governor in 1991 and served through 1999. As lieutenant governor, she headed the Binsfeld Children's Commission. Its investigation of issues related to adoption and the child welfare system produced 197 proposed reforms, including for adoption and other laws. The state legislature passed 20 laws drafted by Binsfeld and her staff to make policy to implement these recommendations.

Binsfeld died at age 89 in Glen Lake, Michigan on January 12, 2014 in hospice.[4]

Personal life

She was married to John Binsfeld. They had five children together: John, Greg, Susan, Paul and Mike.

Legacy and honors

References

  1. ↑ "Munising, Michigan". City-Data.com. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Alumni Award Winners 2014". Siena Heights University. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 Associated Press, "Former Michigan Lt. Gov. Connie Binsfeld dies",
  4. ↑ State official says former Michigan Lt. Governor Connie Binsfeld dies Sunday at age 89, Daily Journal, January 12, 2014
  5. ↑ Obituary: "Lt. Gov. Connie Binsfeld", Reynolds-Jonkoff Funeral Home, January 2014


Political offices
Preceded by
Martha Griffiths		 Lieutenant Governor of Michigan
1991–1999 		Succeeded by
Dick Posthumus
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