Getting to know the Governor’s right hand man
By: Ryan Burklow
By halftime of Super Bowl 51, most fans were certain it would end in defeat for the New England Patriots. But viewers were reminded that a game is never over until it’s over. Quarterback Tom Brady did what he did best, and now he has a nice big ring for his thumb. This is a story that Dick Posthumus proudly tells whenever he’s asked why he agreed to become Gov. Rick Snyder’s Chief of Staff.
Some have suggested that as Gov. Snyder enters the last two years of his administration, there isn’t much he can get accomplished. Posthumus vehemently disagrees, and looks forward to being the Bill Belichick to Gov. Snyder’s Tom Brady. Just like that amazing fourth quarter comeback, Posthumus is excited to help the Governor do what he does best — reinvent Michigan.
Those who know Dick Posthumus know of his tremendous service to the state of Michigan, and those who don’t need only wait because as Gov. Snyder’s right-hand man, he will be an integral part of keeping Michigan on a path toward the future.
The Alto native began his illustrious political career in 1971 at Michigan State University, when he helped his classmate run a successful Michigan House of Representative campaign. That classmate was future Governor John Engler.
Eleven years after helping Engler’s campaign, Posthumus launched a campaign of his own. He was elected to the Michigan Senate in 1982. In 1990, Posthumus became Senate Majority Leader.
Posthumus ended his run as the longest-serving majority leader in the history of the Michigan Senate to preside over the very same Senate as Michigan’s 61st Lt. Governor. Serving alongside former classmate Engler, Posthumus was committed to make education work better for all Michiganders. Thanks to his tireless work, Michiganders were given improved access to college and technical training for high school graduates.
It has been 15 years since Posthumus served as Lt. Governor, but he is once again in a position to help make Michigan a better state for all its residents. Working together with Gov. Snyder, Posthumus will continue leading Michigan on the path toward its future.
