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Milton Zaagman was an American politician who served in the Michigan Senate from 1963 to 1974 as a member of the Republican Party.


Early life

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Zaagman was a graduate of Calvin College, and was awarded a degree in mortuary science from Wayne State University.[1] He worked as a mortician.[2]

Zaagman served on the Kent County Board of Supervisors for five years.[3]

Michigan Senate

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1962

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In June 1962, Michigan State Senator Perry W. Greene announced his retirement from the Senate, putting John R. Stiles forward as his successor. However, Zaagman announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination and represent the 16th district, one of two districts representing Grand Rapids.[4] In August of that year, Zaagman won against Stiles for the Republican nomination.[5]

In November 1962, Zaagman was elected with 29,141 votes against the 17,136 of his opponent Arthur H. Masterson.[6] The city's other district was also won by a Republican, Robert VanderLaan.[7]

1963

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On November 6, 1963, Zaagman put forward a resolution to the State Senate seeking to push a U.S. constitutional amendment to allow prayers in American schools.[8]

1964

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On February 11, 1964, Zaagman's bill calling for the permitting of prayer in schools was reported out by the House Rules and Resolutions Committee on a vote of 7-0.[9]

1966

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In April 1966, Zaagman sponsored two bills calling for extended polling hours during elections and an increase to the number of registrars for voter registration. Both measures were passed by the Senate.[10] In November, he was one of five senators accompanying International Affairs Committee chairman Gilbert Bursley on a economic fact-finding tour of the Far East.[11]

1969

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In August 1969, he was appointed to the Design Committee to help design a new Michigan State Capitol.[12]

1970

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In August 1970, Zaagman ran unopposed to be the Republican candidate for his Grand Rapids seat, now the 32nd district.[13]

1971

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In 1971, Zaagman supported a bill which would allow absentee landlords to vote in property tax elections in areas where they own property. The bill was seen as "controversial" and met with opposition from other senators.[14] On February 2, he was elected president pro tempore of the State Senate.[15] In March, he was the sole member of the Health, Social Services and Retirement committee to oppose a bill allowing women to obtain an abortion during the first 16 weeks of pregnancy for any reason.[16]

1973

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In November 1973, Zaagman supported a bill which permitted unlimited spending and collecting by election candidates, so long as donations and costs were fully disclosed.[17]

In December, Zaagman announced his intention to run for vice-president Gerald Ford's congressional seat. VanderLaan had previously announced his intention to run as Republican candidate, and Democrats Jelt Sietsema and Richard Vander Veen were also announced to be in the running.[3]

1974

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In January 1974, Zaagman came fourth in the race for the 5th congressional district Republican nomination with 4,354 votes. VanderLaan was the winner with 26,105 votes while James K. Miller and Robert Boelens had 11,351 and 6,626 votes respectively.[18] On becoming the congressional candidate, VanderLaan announced his resignation as Senate Majority Leader, and Zaagman was elected to succeed him.[19]

In April, he sponsored a bill calling for better ambulance services in rural areas. It passed the Senate on April 23 with a vote of 30-5.[20]

In September, he cosponsored a resolution to rename a section of Interstate 196 after Gerald Ford.[21]

Zaagman lost his seat in the November 1974 State Senate elections, due to a Democrat-led redrawing of his district in 1972.[22] He was succeeded by John R. Otterbacher.[23]

Committee assignments

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  • Committee on Appropriations[24]
  • Joint Capital Outlay Subcommittee[25]
  • Conservation, Recreation, Agriculture and Advertising Subcommittee (Chairman)[25]
  • Committee on Health, Social Services and Retirement[26]
  • Committee on Municipalities and Elections (Chairman)[26]
  • Committee on State Affairs[26]
  • Design Committee[12]

Later career

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Following his departure from the senate, he became a lobbyist for the Michigan State Medical Society.[2] In 1976, he founded Zaagman Associates, which sought to provide liaison between organizations and the Michigan government. Clients included the Michigan State Medical Society, the Richard B. Smillie Management and Consulting Company, and the Michigan Association of Public Insurance Adjusters.[1]

By 1982, he was lobbying for fourteen clients.[27]

Personal life

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Zaagman was a member of the Christian Reformed Church.[28]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Branch office opened here". Lansing State Journal. February 29, 1976. p. C13. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Connolly, Patrick (November 30, 1975). "Ex-legislators woo lawmakers for special groups". Lansing State Journal. p. B11. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Zaagman Going After Ford's Seat". Lansing State Journal. December 12, 1973. p. B9. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  4. ^ "Sen. Greene Retiring". Lansing State Journal. June 12, 1962. p. A10. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  5. ^ Pyle, Richard (August 8, 1962). "Two Senate G.O.P. Leaders Lose in Primary". Lansing State Journal. p. A12. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  6. ^ "Bowman Moves Up". Lansing State Journal. November 7, 1962. p. A12. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  7. ^ "Senate Results". Lansing State Journal. November 7, 1962. p. A12. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  8. ^ "Seeks School Prayers". Lansing State Journal. November 7, 1963. p. A2. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  9. ^ "Vote Near on Prayer Resolution". Lansing State Journal. February 11, 1964. p. A3. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  10. ^ "Senate OKs Voting Hours Bill". Lansing State Journal. April 14, 1966. p. D6. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  11. ^ "Senators Going to Far East". Lansing State Journal. November 11, 1966. p. A8. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Top Personnel". Lansing State Journal. August 9, 1969. p. A3. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  13. ^ "Name Left Off Ballot". Lansing State Journal. August 5, 1970. p. A6. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  14. ^ "Tax Vote Bill Called Still 'Alive'". Lansing State Journal. May 5, 1971. p. E2. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  15. ^ Berg, Robert (February 3, 1971). "Zaagman to Head Upper Chamber in Lansing". The South Bend Tribune. p. 17. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  16. ^ "No Reason Would Be Needed in Early Pregnancy". The South Bend Tribune. March 9, 1971. p. 23. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  17. ^ "'Open Campaign Book'". Lansing State Journal. November 27, 1973. p. B5. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  18. ^ "VanderLaan GOP Winner". Lansing State Journal. January 16, 1974. p. A1. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  19. ^ "GOP Elects Zaagman". Lansing State Journal. January 23, 1974. p. B5. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  20. ^ "Bill to Upgrade Ambulance Care Passed by Senate, Goes to House". Lansing State Journal. April 24, 1974. p. B15. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  21. ^ "I-196 Stretch Christened 'Gerald Ford Freeway'". Lansing State Journal. September 27, 1974. p. B3. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  22. ^ "Milliken Faces Solidly Dem Legislature". Lansing State Journal. November 7, 1974. p. B10. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  23. ^ Moskal, Jerry (July 23, 1978). "Otterbacher tries gimmicks". Lansing State Journal. p. B6. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  24. ^ "Lockwood Still Leader of Senate Republicans". Lansing State Journal. November 11, 1966. p. A8. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  25. ^ a b "Sen. Beadle Names Nine Chairmen". Lansing State Journal. January 31, 1967. p. A5. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  26. ^ a b c Van Ness, Marcia (January 10, 1971). "Pittinger, Ballenger Get Key Committee Assignments". Lansing State Journal. p. A13. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  27. ^ Moskal, Jerry (March 15, 1982). "Good market for ex-lawmakers". Lansing State Journal. p. 8A. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  28. ^ Connolly, Pat (July 14, 1974). "OK'd State School Aid Bill Brimming with Questions". Lansing State Journal. p. B14. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
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