John Engler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Engler
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Engler in 2016
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| President of Michigan State University | |
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Acting
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| In office January 31, 2018 – January 17, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Lou Anna Simon |
| Succeeded by | Satish Udpa (acting) |
| 46th Governor of Michigan | |
| In office January 1, 1991 – January 1, 2003 |
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| Lieutenant | Connie Binsfeld Dick Posthumus |
| Preceded by | James J. Blanchard |
| Succeeded by | Jennifer Granholm |
| Chair of the National Governors Association | |
| In office August 7, 2001 – July 16, 2002 |
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| Preceded by | Parris Glendening |
| Succeeded by | Paul Patton |
| 9th Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate | |
| In office 1984–1990 |
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| Preceded by | William Faust |
| Succeeded by | Dick Posthumus |
| Member of the Michigan Senate | |
| In office January 1, 1979 – December 31, 1990 |
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| Preceded by | John Toepp |
| Succeeded by | Joanne G. Emmons |
| Constituency | 36th district (1979–1982) 35th district (1983–1990) |
| Member of the Michigan House of Representatives | |
| In office January 1, 1971 – December 31, 1978 |
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| Preceded by | Russell Strange |
| Succeeded by | Gary L. Randall |
| Constituency | 100th district (1971–1972) 89th district (1973–1978) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Mathias Engler
October 12, 1948 Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
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| Children | 3 |
| Education | |
John Mathias Engler (born October 12, 1948) is an American politician, lawyer, and businessman. He is a member of the Republican Party. Engler served as the 46th governor of Michigan from 1991 to 2003. He also worked as a lobbyist, which means he tried to influence government decisions on behalf of certain groups.
Engler was a Michigan State senator starting in 1979. While serving there, he went to Thomas M. Cooley Law School and earned a law degree. In 1984, he became the Senate majority leader. He held this role until he was elected governor in 1990. He won re-election twice, in 1994 and 1998. He is the last Michigan governor to serve more than two terms. After being governor, he worked for different organizations, including the Business Roundtable.
Engler also served on the boards of several important groups. These included the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal, which focuses on conservative ideas, and the Marguerite Eyer Wilbur Foundation. He was also on the board of the Annie E. Casey Foundation until 2014. Later, he joined the board of directors for Universal Forest Products. He also served on the boards of companies like Dow Jones and Delta Air Lines.
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Early Life and Education
John Engler was born in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, on October 12, 1948. He grew up on a cattle farm near Beal City. His family was Roman Catholic.
He went to Michigan State University and graduated in 1971 with a degree in agricultural economics. Later, he studied law at Thomas M. Cooley Law School, earning his law degree in 1981.
Engler started his political career very young. In 1970, at just 22 years old, he was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives. He served as a state representative from 1971 to 1978. His friend, Dick Posthumus, helped manage his first election campaign. Engler also became the first Republican youth vice-chair for the Michigan Republican Party. Dick Posthumus later became a state senator and even Lieutenant Governor, serving with Engler from 1999 to 2003.
Career Highlights
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Serving as Governor
As governor, John Engler made many changes in Michigan. His time in office focused on things like making some state services private and changing how taxes worked. He lowered the income tax but increased the sales tax. He also worked on improving education and changing welfare programs. He reorganized many parts of the state government.
In 1996, other Republican governors chose him to lead their association, the Republican Governors Association. Then, in 2001, he was chosen to lead the National Governors Association, which includes governors from all parties.
Considering a Vice President Role
During the 1996 presidential election, people thought John Engler might be chosen as the vice presidential running mate for Republican candidate Bob Dole. However, Dole chose Jack Kemp instead.
In the 2000 election, Engler supported Texas Governor George W. Bush. After Bush won the Republican nomination, Engler's name came up again as a possible vice president. Bush later wrote that he was "close" with Engler and could "work well with" him. But in the end, Bush chose Dick Cheney for the role. After the election, Engler's friend, Spencer Abraham, became Bush's Secretary of Energy.
After His Time as Governor
After leaving the governor's office in 2003, Engler took on new roles. He worked for Electronic Data Systems, focusing on government services. In 2004, he became the president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, a group that represents manufacturing companies.
Later, in 2011, Engler became the president of the Business Roundtable. This is a group of top CEOs from major American companies.
In 2017, Engler was appointed to a board that oversees the National Assessment of Educational Progress. This project helps measure what students know and can do in different subjects.
Interim President of Michigan State University
John Engler served as the interim (temporary) president of Michigan State University from January 2018 to January 2019. He resigned from this position in January 2019.
Personal Life
In 1975, John Engler married Colleen House. She also served in the Michigan House of Representatives. They divorced in 1986 and did not have children together.
Engler married Michelle DeMunbrun, a lawyer from Texas, on December 8, 1990. They have triplet daughters, who were born in 1994. As First Lady of Michigan, Michelle Engler helped start the Michigan Community Service Commission. She was also appointed to the board of Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) in 2001 by President George W. Bush.
