Raymond D. Dzendzel

Raymond D. Dzendzel (July 29, 1921 – May 1, 2018) was an American politician who was a Democratic member of both houses of the Michigan Legislature between 1955 and 1970.[1]

Raymond D. Dzendzel
3rd Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate
In office
1965–1966
Preceded byStanley G. Thayer
Succeeded byEmil Lockwood
Member of the Michigan Senate
from the 7th district
18th District (1959-1964)
In office
January 1, 1959 – December 31, 1970
Preceded byJohn B. Swainson
Succeeded byJack Faxon
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
from the Wayne County 12th district
In office
January 1, 1955 – December 31, 1958
Personal details
Born(1921-07-29)July 29, 1921
Port Clinton, Ohio
DiedMay 1, 2018(2018-05-01) (aged 96)
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Eleanor
Military service
Allegiance United States
Battles/warsWorld War II

A native of Ohio, Dzendzel's family moved to Southfield, Michigan in the early 1930s and he graduated from Redford High School and the Detroit Institute of Technology. He enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and served on the USS Peoria during World War II. Dzendzel was business representative with Carpenters Local 982.[2]

In 1954, he sought and won election to the Michigan House of Representatives, serving two terms. He won election to the Michigan Senate in 1958, serving five terms. Dzendzel was Majority Leader in 1965-1966, but became Minority Leader when the Democrats lost control of the Senate in the 1966 election. Endorsed by the AFL–CIO, he lost to then-Representative Jack Faxon, who had been endorsed by the UAW, in the Democratic primary in 1970.[3]

After leaving the Legislature, Dzendzel was a member of the board of Botsford Hospital for 30 years.

Dzendzel died on May 1, 2018 at the age of 96.[4]

References
  1. The Political Graveyard: Dzendzel, Raymond D.
  2. 1969-1970 Michigan Manual, p. 180
  3. "Services Saturday For Former Senate Majority Leader Dzendzel, 96". Gongwer News Service. May 4, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  4. Turowski Funeral Home: Raymond Dzendzel
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