Posthumus, Dick

Former Lt. Governor, State of Michigan

Dick Posthumus was born in 1950 and grew up on a dairy farm outside of Grand Rapids. He graduated from Caledonia High School in 1968 and continued his education at Michigan State University, where he majored in agricultural economics and public affairs management. While at Michigan State, Posthumus served as John Engler’s campaign manager in Engler’s successful campaign for state representative in 1970. This began a political partnership that lasted over 30 years. In 1971, he was elected third vice chair of the Michigan Republican Party. After graduating from Michigan State University, Posthumus served in several key staff positions in the House of Representatives and management positions with the Michigan Beef Industry Commission and the Farmers’ and Manufacturers’ Beet Sugar Association, as well as established himself as a farmer.

In 1982, Posthumus was elected to the State Senate, representing the 31st Senatorial District, which included parts of Kent and Ottawa Counties. In 1990, he became the Senate Majority Leader and is noted for the longest serving leader in Michigan history. Posthumus joined Governor Engler on the ticket as Lieutenant Governor in 1998 and went on to serve in that post for four years. He was the Republican nominee for governor in 2002, having defeated State Senator Joe Schwarz in the Republican primary, but lost to Democrat Jennifer Granholm in the general election by less than 4%.

Posthumus is most known for his 1994 initiative Proposal A, which cut state property taxes and reformulated the way Michigan funded public schools, sponsoring a bill that created charter schools in Michigan, and acting as chief sponsor of bills that created Renaissance Zones, which offered opportunities and revitalization for business owners and cities. As Lieutenant Governor, Posthumus chaired the Michigan Domestic Violence Homicide Prevention Task Force that provided recommendations to eliminate homicides resulting from domestic violence.

In 2003, he returned full-time to the private sector on his farm and also becoming the managing partner and CEO of a small office furniture manufacturing firm in West Michigan. In 2011, Posthumus was called back into public service for newly elected Governor Rick Snyder. He served first as a senior advisor and then as chief of staff.

Dick Posthumus married Pam (Bartz) in 1972 and they enjoyed 38 years together until her unexpected death. In 2011, he married BethAnn (Mihlethaler). They reside in West Michigan. He has four children, three step-children and seven grandchildren.