John D. Cherry

John D. Cherry Jr. (born May 5, 1951) is an American politician who served as the 62nd lieutenant governor of Michigan from 2003 to 2011. A Democrat, Cherry also served 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).

This article is about the former Lieutenant Governor of Michigan. For his son and member of the Michigan House of Representatives, see John Cherry III (politician).
John Cherry
62nd Lieutenant Governor of Michigan
In office
January 1, 2003 – January 1, 2011
GovernorJennifer Granholm
Preceded byDick Posthumus
Succeeded byBrian Calley
Member of the Michigan Senate
from the 28th district
In office
January 11, 1995 – 2003
Preceded byDan L. DeGrow
Succeeded byKenneth R. Sikkema
Member of the Michigan Senate
from the 29th district
In office
January 14, 1987 – 1995
Preceded byGary George Corbin
Succeeded byJoe Conroy
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
from the 79th district
In office
January 12, 1983 – 1986
Preceded byJoe Conroy
Succeeded byNate Jonker
Personal details
Born (1951-05-05) May 5, 1951
Sulphur Springs, Texas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpousePam Faris
Children2; including John Cherry
Residence(s)Clio, Michigan, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Michigan (BA)
University of Michigan–Flint (MPA)

Cherry was an announced candidate for Governor of Michigan in 2010. However, on January 5, he announced his withdrawal from the race,[1] citing an inability to "secure enough money to make my candidacy fully viable."[2]

Early life and education

Cherry grew up in Montrose, Michigan and graduated from Hill-McCloy High School 1969. Cherry earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Michigan in 1973 and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Michigan–Flint in 1984. He is of Polish and Scots-Irish descent.[3]

Career

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. 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 presided 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 Governors 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 Michigan's job base. The 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. Michigan also increased standards in the K-12 curriculum and graduation requirements consistent with the Commission's recommendations.

Cherry has been awarded Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Saginaw Valley State University and an Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from Central Michigan University. 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.Cherry serves as the Chairman of the St. Andrew's Society of Detroit's Board of Trustees 2016 to present. Cherry serves as the Vice-President of the Council of Scottish Clans and Associations 2016 to present, and as President of the Clan MacLachlan Association of North America 2014 to present.

Personal life

Cherry is married to former State Representative Pam Faris. They have two adult children, Meghan and John Daniel, and 4 grandchildren.

References
  1. http://detnews.com/article/20100105/POLITICS02/1050391/Lt--Gov--Cherry-won-t-run-for-governor
  2. "Detroit Free Press". Archived from the original on 2020-05-01. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
  3. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-05-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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