Glenn Steil Sr.

Glenn Dale Steil (August 29, 1940 – May 7, 2010) was an American politician who served as a member of the Michigan Senate from the 32nd and 30th districts as a member of the Republican Party.

Glenn Steil
Member of the Michigan Senate
In office
April 28, 1994 – January 8, 2003
Preceded byVern Ehlers (32nd district)
Succeeded byWayne Kuipers (30th district)
Constituency32nd district (1994–1995)
30th district (1995–2002)
Personal details
Born
Glenn Dale Steil

(1940-08-29)August 29, 1940
Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
DiedMay 7, 2010(2010-05-07) (aged 69)
Bonita Springs, Florida, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationDavenport University (AA)
Aquinas College (BAA)
Military service
Branch/service United States Coast Guard
Years of service1958–1962

Steil grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and graduated from Davenport University and Aquinas College. In the 1990s he entered politics when he served as the chairman of multiple organizations supporting term limits for politicians. After leading a successful term limit ballot initiative Steil ran in a special election for Michigan's 3rd congressional district, but was defeated in the Republican primary. He later won a seat in the Michigan Senate in a special election and served until he was term limited in 2003.

Early life

Glenn Dale Steil was born on August 29, 1940, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Adolph Albert Steil III and Theresa Jane Roberts. From 1958 to 1962, he served in the United States Coast Guard until he was honorable discharged.[1] In 1962, he graduated from Davenport University with an associate degree in accounting. In 1972, he graduated from Aquinas College with a bachelor's degree in business administration.[1]

His son, Glenn Steil Jr., served in the Michigan House of Representatives from the 72nd district.[2]

Career

U.S. House of Representatives campaign

On July 31, 1993, Representative Paul B. Henry died from brain cancer leaving the Michigan's 3rd congressional district vacant.[3] Steil was speculated as a possible candidate in the Republican primary for the district and announced his candidacy on August 25.[4] In the Republican primary he placed fourth behind Vern Ehlers after spending over $342,019.[5][6]

Elections

In December 1993, Ehlers won the special election in the 3rd congressional district which created a vacancy in the Michigan Senate from the 32nd district.[7][8] Steil ran for the Republican nomination in the special election and won in the primary.[9] In the special election he defeated Democratic nominee Paul Mayhue and Libertarian nominee Dan Marsh.[10] On April 28, Steil was inaugurated into the Michigan Senate.[11]

During the 1994 elections Steil ran in the 30th district against Democratic nominee David E. Doyle, Libertarian nominee Steve Butler, and Natural Law nominee Constantine Katsoris.[12] In 1998, he won against Democratic nominee Carol Hennessy after spending $306,000.[13][14] During the 1998 election he held a birthday party at the John Ball Zoo that cost $20,339.63 and charged the cost of the party to his campaign fund. He repaid the amount after the Secretary of State asked him to explain the expenditure as it violated campaign finance law since it wasn't a fundraiser.[14][15]

In 2002, Steil was one of twenty-seven members of the Michigan Senate unable to run for reelection due to term limits.[16] Wayne Kuipers was elected to succeed Steil and took office on January 8, 2003.[17][18]

Tenure

During his tenure in the Michigan Senate Steil served as the chairman of the Human Resources and Labor committee.[19]

During the 1996 presidential election Steil initially supported and endorsed Phil Gramm for the Republican nomination, but later endorsed Bob Dole after Gramm had dropped out and endorsed Dole.[20] Steil later served as a Michigan delegate to the Republican National Convention.[21] During the 2000 presidential election he donated to George W. Bush's presidential campaign and Steil was later speculated as a possible appointee in the Bush administration.[22]

Later life

During the 2004 presidential election he raised over $100,000 for President Bush's presidential campaign.[23] During the 2010 Michigan gubernatorial election he served on the finance committee in Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox's gubernatorial campaign.[24]

On May 7, 2010, Steil died from a heart attack in Bonita Springs, Florida.[1]

Political positions and legislation

Taxation

On March 22, 1995, the Michigan Senate voted 33 to 4 in favor of legislation proposed by Steil which would allow for-profit corporations to not file annual state reports.[25][26]

In 1997, he introduced legislation that would increase the diesel gasoline tax by 4¢ a gallon.[27]

Term limits

In the 1990s Steil served as the chairman of The Campaign to Limit Politicians' Terms and stated that term limits would "return power to the hands of the voters".[28][29]

Steil served as the co-chairman of Vote Yes on Proposal B committee; proposal B would limit members of the Michigan House of Representatives to three two-years terms, members of the Michigan Senate, secretary of state, attorney general, lieutenant governor, and governor would be limited to two four-year terms, members of the United States House of Representatives would be limited to three two-year terms in a twelve-year period, and members of the United States Senate would be limited to two six-year terms in a twenty four-year period.[30] In the general election the ballot initiative passed with 2,295,904 votes in favor to 1,614,404 votes against.[31]

However, in 1997, Steil gave support extending the term limits to ten or twelve years and stated that "Now that I've got a little wisdom, I feel there's something to be said for experience." At the time he was limited to only one more term in the Michigan Senate.[32][33]

Youth

In 1997, Steil introduced legislation that would urge school districts to adopt school uniforms stating that "it would enhance students' grades and discipline, especially among poorer students".[34]

In 1997, he introduced legislation stating that people under the age of 18 who are given tickets must show evidence that they are attending school or have graduated from high school. If the person is a high school dropout then their driver's license would be suspended.[35]

Electoral history
1994 Michigan Senate 32nd district special election[10]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Glenn Steil Sr. 14,806 64.18%
Democratic Paul Mayhue 7,775 33.70%
Libertarian Dan Marsh 490 2.12%
Total votes 23,071 100.00%
1998 Michigan Senate 30th district Republican primary[36]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Glenn Steil Sr. (incumbent) 19,215 100.00%
Total votes 19,215 100.00%
1998 Michigan Senate 30th district election[13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Glenn Steil Sr. (incumbent) 47,499 62.48%
Democratic Carol Hennessy 28,525 37.52%
Total votes 76,024 100.00%

References
  1. "Glenn Steil obituary". Grand Rapids Press. May 11, 2010. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020.
  2. "The Honorable Glenn Steil, Jr". Archived from the original on August 1, 2020.
  3. "State senator announces for Congress seat". Petoskey News-Review. August 10, 1993. p. 3. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "7th contender enters race for Henry's seat". Detroit Free Press. August 26, 1993. p. 19. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Spending soars for Henry's seat". The Herald-Palladium. October 24, 1993. p. 2. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Ehlers wins chance to run for Henry seat". Lansing State Journal. November 4, 1993. p. 6. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Primary starts race for key seats". Lansing State Journal. March 15, 1994. p. 11. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "32nd district". Detroit Free Press. April 16, 1994. p. 8. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "1994 primary results". The Herald-Palladium. March 16, 1994. p. 14. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "1994 election results". Battle Creek Enquirer. April 27, 1994. p. 4. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Steil Inaugurated". The Herald-Palladium. May 1, 1994. p. 14. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "1994 election". Detroit Free Press. October 30, 1994. p. 45. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "1998 election results". Michigan Secretary of State. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. "Steil repays money used for party". Lansing State Journal. December 30, 1998. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. "Steil reimburses his election fund". Detroit Free Press. December 31, 1998. p. 82. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. "Can't seek reelection". Lansing State Journal. January 21, 2002. p. 7. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. "2002 election results". Detroit Free Press. November 7, 2002. p. 55. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. "Michigan legislature takes office". Lansing State Journal. January 1, 2003. p. 10. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. "Chairman". Battle Creek Enquirer. March 22, 2002. p. 2. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. "Sen. Bob Dole gets Ggramm supporters". Lansing State Journal. February 26, 1996. p. 7. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. "1996 delegate". Lansing State Journal. August 12, 1996. p. 5. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. "Michigan hopefuls". The Herald-Palladium. December 21, 2000. p. 24. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. "The Rangers and Pioneers". Detroit Free Press. November 29, 2003. p. 9. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. "Cox builds powerful posse". Detroit Free Press. April 19, 2009. p. 15. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. "Bill would ease corporate filing requirements". Petoskey News-Review. March 23, 1995. p. 9. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. "State bill would trim annual reporting". Detroit Free Press. March 24, 1995. p. 49. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. "Diesel gas tax". Lansing State Journal. November 24, 1997. p. 9. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. "Term limits would put more power in voters' hands". Detroit Free Press. April 2, 1992. p. 12. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. "Forum on term-limit proposal set". Lansing State Journal. September 22, 1992. p. 11. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. "Proposal B: Limiting the time of politicians in office". Petoskey News-Review. October 27, 1992. p. 55. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. "Proposal B election results". Detroit Free Press. November 5, 1992. p. 20. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. "Patterson plans to launch bid to extend term limits". Detroit Free Press. March 1, 1997. p. 3. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. "Term limit lawsuit filed". The Herald-Palladium. August 2, 1997. p. 8. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. "Uniforms: Push is on in schools". The Times Herald. March 3, 1997. p. 8. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. "Lawmaker: Stay in school, keep license". Battle Creek Enquirer. April 7, 1997. p. 4. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. "1998 primary results". Michigan Secretary of State. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
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