Terri Lynn Land

Terri Lynn Land
41st Secretary of State of Michigan
In office
January 1, 2003 – January 1, 2011
Governor Jennifer Granholm
Preceded by Candice Miller
Succeeded by Ruth Johnson
Personal details
Born (1958-06-30) June 30, 1958
Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Daniel Hibma
Alma mater Hope College
Religion Reformed Church[1]

Terri Lynn Land (born June 30, 1958) is an American politician who served as Michigan's 41st Secretary of State. In 2012, Land was elected to the Republican National Committee.[2] She was the Republican nominee for the 2014 United States Senate race in Michigan, but lost in the general election to Gary Peters.

Early life and education

Land was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The granddaughter of immigrants from the Netherlands, Land grew up changing sheets and mowing grass for her grandparents’ family motel business.[3] Land grew up in Grandville, Michigan, graduating from Grandville High School. In 1976, she attended the Republican National Convention, where she shook Gerald Ford's hand.[4] Land was one of the youngest attendees at the 1978 Republican state convention. She worked her way through college as she attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in political science.[5][6] In 2009, Land was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Davenport University, "in recognition of her accomplishments and contributions to the community."[7]

Early political career

In 1980, at age 22, Land joined the Grandville Planning Commission. At age 23, Land ran for the Michigan House of Representatives, unsuccessfully challenging incumbent Democrat Jelt Sietsema.[4]

From 1992–2000, she was the elected Clerk of Kent County, the fourth largest county of Michigan.[6]

In 2000, with Gov. John Engler’s encouragement, Land ran unsuccessfully for the Michigan State Board of Education.[4][8]

Michigan Secretary of State

In 2002, Land became Michigan's 41st Secretary of State, defeating Melvin Hollowell, a Detroit-based attorney, 55%-43% and took office on January 1, 2003.[9][10]

During Land's tenure as Secretary of State, she implemented a plan to expand online service options, improve services at branch offices to create shorter lines for customers, and make use of more reliable election equipment.[11] The Grand Rapids Press editorial board praised Land for her technological transformation of state services.[12][13] According to the Michigan Legislature, Land implemented “other advancements, [which] include the introduction of Self-Service Stations for easy license plate tab renewals and creation of an online Branch Office Locator that provides customers with office locations, hours, and services simply by entering their zip code, city or county".[14] Land championed the effort to implement more reliable voting machines,while also installing magnetic barcode readers in all branch offices to speed up transactions and ensure accuracy.[12][15]

Despite a decreased budget to work with, Land was successful in consolidating offices to make them more efficient, yet all through attrition so that no workers were laid off, Land also carried out the successful consolidation of branch offices in a nonpartisan manner.[12] Terri Lynn Land also refused to take advantage of her name being placed on the signs at branch offices, a political advantage used by previous Secretaries of State, to rather have the Secretary of State’s website address be advertised as online services increased.[12]

Secretary Land led the charge to consolidate Michigan’s elections, which saved money, reduced confusion, and helped eliminate ‘stealth elections’.[16] Staying ahead of the work required by the Help America Vote Act, Land also selected a single style voting machine to be implemented statewide with funding from the federal government.[17] In 2005, Land's office announced an effort to use the Help America Vote Act to reduce potential voter fraud by removing names of voters who had died, moved out of Michigan, or changed their names. Furthermore, Land spearheaded several outreach initiatives that increased voter participation, including touring all university campuses to offer registration opportunities, which caused unprecedented voter turnout rates in 2004, 2006, and 2008.[18]

In 2006, she was elected to a second term, defeating Macomb County Clerk Carmella Sabaugh 56%-42%.[19] After serving two terms, the maximum allowed in the state, she was succeeded by Republican Ruth Johnson.[20]

2010 Gubernatorial Race

After exploring a bid for Michigan governor in 2010, Land decided not to run in June 2009, instead choosing to endorse the campaign of Mike Bouchard.[21][22] She ran for lieutenant governor on a ticket with Bouchard the following year, but lost in the Republican primary.[23]

2014 U.S. Senate election

On June 3, 2013 Land announced her candidacy for the United States Senate in 2014.[24] She ran unopposed in the primary and faced Democratic congressman Gary Peters in the general election.[25] According to an early analysis by the Washington Post, the U.S. Senate election in Michigan was considered one of the top 10 Senate races of 2014.

Land had a strong fundraising run and outraised her opponent throughout the campaign.[26] In 2014, Land made significant financial contributions to her own campaign stating that, "You can't ask other people to invest in you if you don't invest in yourself.”[4] Land was endorsed by the entire Michigan Republican delegation,[27] as well as former congressman Pete Hoekstra,[28] the Family Research Council.[29] and National Right to Life.[30]

Peters opened up a consistent lead in the polls beginning in September, leading to a loss in the general election on November 4. Land was defeated by Peters, taking 41.3% of the vote to his 54.6%.[31]

Personal life

Land married Dan Hibma in 1983. The Lands live in Byron Center.[32] They have two children: Jessica and Nicholas.

Electoral history

U. S. Senate Election in Michigan 2014[33]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Gary Peters 1,704,936 54.6 -8.1
Republican Terri Lynn Land 1,290,199 41.3 +7.5
Libertarian Jim Fulner 62,897 2.0 +.4
Green Chris Wahmhoff 26,137 0.9 0
U.S. Taxpayers Richard Matkin 37,529 1.2 +.6
Write-Ins 77 0.0 0
Majority 414,737
Turnout 3,121,775
Democratic hold Swing
Michigan Secretary of State Election 2006[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Terri Lynn Land (incumbent) 2,089,864 56.15
Democratic Carmella Sabaugh 1,561,828 41.96
Michigan Secretary of State Election 2002[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Terri Lynn Land 1,703,261 54.96
Democratic Melvin Hollowell 1,331,441 42.96

References

  1. ↑ "Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land". Michigan State Legislature. They attend Corinth Reformed Church, where Secretary Land was nursery supervisor for many years.
  2. ↑ Spangler, Todd (February 16, 2014). "Suddenly, Michigan Republican Terri Lynn Land building steam in Senate race". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Land campaigns in region for Michigan Senate seat". Midland Daily News. January 14, 2014. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Profile: Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land is in the driver's seat". MLive. February 20, 2009. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Profile: Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land is in the driver's seat". MLive.com. February 20, 2009. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  6. 1 2 "Alumni Profiles". Hope College. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  7. ↑ "DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY PRESENTING HONORARY DOCTORATE DEGREE TO SECRETARY OF STATE TERRI LYNN LAND" (PDF). Davenport University. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  8. ↑ "State of Michigan Election Results.". Secretary of State. November 7, 2000. Retrieved November 20, 2008.
  9. ↑ "Michigan Department of State Election Results". Michigan.gov. December 17, 2002. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  10. ↑ "cretary of State 4 Year Term (1) Position". Michigan Department of State. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  11. ↑ "No Good Deed Unpunished". Michigan Capitol Confidential. February 7, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Editorial: Examining Terri Lynn Land's Years as Secretary of State". MLive.com. December 2, 2010. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  13. ↑ "MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF STATE 2003 – 2010 ACCOMPLISHMENTS" (PDF). michigan.gov. 2010. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  14. ↑ "SECRETARY OF STATE TERRI LYNN LAND" (PDF). Michigan Legislative Website. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Michigan Department of State Election Results" (PDF). Michigan.gov. 2010. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Michigan Department of State 2003-2010 Accomplishments" (PDF). Michigan.gov. 2010. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  17. ↑ "SOS- Michigan Elections: A Plan for the 21st Century". Michigan.gov. 2006. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Good Government Through Customer Service". Michigan.gov. December 15, 2010. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Secretary of State 4 Year Term (1) Position". Michigan Department of State. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  20. 1 2 3 "Secretary of State 4 Year Term (1) Position". MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF STATE. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
  21. ↑ http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/06/terri_lynn_land_wont_run_for_g.html
  22. ↑ http://www.macombdaily.com/20090720/terri-lynn-land-explains-exit-strategy
  23. ↑ http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/07/terri_lynn_land_says_she_mike.html
  24. ↑ Blake, Aaro (June 3, 2013). "Terri Lynn Land running for Michigan Senate seat". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  25. ↑ Heinlein, Gary (August 4, 2014). "Primary likely final decision for most Legislature, Congress races in Mich.". Detroit News. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  26. ↑ Sullivan, Sean (November 8, 2013). "The Fix's top 10 Senate races of 2014". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  27. ↑ Cahn, Emily (August 20, 2013). "GOP Congresswoman Endorses in Michigan Senate Race". Roll Call. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  28. ↑ McMillin, Zane (August 21, 2013). "Pete Hoekstra, trounced in 2012 Senate race, endorses Terri Lynn Land's bid". MLive. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  29. ↑ "FRC Action PAC Endorses Terri Lynn Land for US Senate". frcaction.org. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  30. ↑ http://www.lifenews.com/2014/09/04/terri-lynn-land-gets-pro-life-endorsement-to-face-pro-abortion-gary-peters-in-michigan/
  31. ↑ New York Times, November 5, 2014, pg. 1
  32. ↑ Eeggert, David (August 6, 2013). "Michigan GOP Senate candidate Terri Lynn Land has deep pockets". Associated Press. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
  33. ↑ "2014 Official Michigan General Election Results - United States Senator". December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2014.

External links

Political offices
Preceded by
Candice Miller		 Secretary of State of Michigan
2003–2011 		Succeeded by
Ruth Johnson
Party political offices
Preceded by
Jack Hoogendyk		 Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Michigan
(Class 2)
2014 		Most recent
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