John D. Cherry

Infobox_Lt_Governor


name= John D. Cherry
|caption=
order= 60^th
state= Michigan
office= Lt. Governor
term_start=January 1, 2003
governor= Jennifer Granholm
predecessor= Dick Posthumus
successor= Incumbent
birth_date=birth date and age|day=5|month=05|year=1951
birth_place= Sulphur Springs, Texascite web | title=State Senator John D. Cherry, Jr. | work=Michigan Manual 2001-2002 |publisher=The Legislative Service Bureau (at [http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(p2chekm03qncttufvqgnji45))/mileg.aspx?page=MM2001-2002&chapter=3 Michigan Legislature website] |url=http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(p2chekm03qncttufvqgnji45))/documents/publications/manual/2001-2002/2001-mm-0144-0144-cherry.pdf |format=PDF | accessdate=2007-04-01 ]
death_date=
death_place=
party= Democratic
profession= Politician
spouse= Pamela M. Faris
footnotes=

John D. Cherry (born May 5, 1951) is the current Lieutenant Governor of the U.S. state of Michigan.

He was elected in 2002 as the running mate of Democrat Jennifer Granholm. 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.

Prior to his election to the office of Lieutenant Governor, Cherry had been a member of the Michigan Legislature as a State Representative (1983-1986), State Senator (1987-2002) and Senate Minority Leader. In his current position, Cherry presides over the State Senate, casting votes there in the event of a tie. His sister, Deborah Cherry, now holds his senate seat.

Cherry chairs 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. He also serves as a gubernatorial appointee to the Midwestern Higher Education Compact and the Great Lakes Commission.

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. He 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. 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 is considering running for the open gubernatorial race in 2010. [http://www.mlive.com/news/flintjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-46/1192026113206810.xml&coll=5&thispage=2] Granholm is serving her final four year term and is forbidden by law from seeking a third term.

Cherry is married to Pamela M. Faris. They have two adult children, Meghan and John Daniel, and one grandchild.

Chair of National Lieutenant Governors Association

Lt. Governor John D. Cherry, Jr. was elected chairman of the National Lieutenant Governor's Association (NLGA) during the organization's annual meeting in Seattle, Washington, July 19 2006.

References

External links

* [http://www.michigan.gov/ltgov/0,1607,7-169--58524--,00.html Official biography]
* [http://www.michigan.gov/ltgov/ Lt. Governor of Michigan website]
* [http://www.granholmforgov.com/site/PageServer?pagename=abt_ltgov/ Lt. Governor Cherry's campaign page]
* [http://www.cherrycommission.org/ Lt. Governor’s Commission on Higher Education & Economic Growth]
* [http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/cherry.html#S1R0K38GV The Political Graveyard]