Binsfeld, Connie

Connie Berube Binsfeld was born April 18, 1924 in Munising, Michigan. Her father, Omer Berube, was killed in an automobile accident shortly before she was born. Her mother, Elsie Constance Berube, supported the family (which included Connie and her two brothers) by teaching school. Connie Berube earned an education degree from Siena Heights College in Adrian, Michigan and conducted post-graduate work at Wayne State University in Detroit. In 1947, she married John E. Binsfeld, and the couple settled in Oakland County, Michigan. John worked as a professional engineer, while Connie taught junior high school. They had five children: John, Greg, Susan, Paul and Michael. In 1968, they moved to Glen Lake, Michigan. Connie and John became increasingly involved in local politics, attending school board and town meetings and Republican Party gatherings. In 1970, Connie Binsfeld was elected to the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners. She ran for the Michigan House of Representatives (104th Representative District) in 1974 and won. She was re-elected in 1976, 1978, and 1980. In 1982, she was elected to the Michigan Senate (36th Senatorial Disctrict). She served two terms. During her time in the state legislature, Binsfeld introduced Michigan's first domestic violence bill and some subsequent domestic violence legislation. She also played a role in rewriting Michigan's juvenile code, requested the creation of a Special Commission on Adoption and introduced the first bill in the U.S. to successfully ban commercial surrogacy. In 1990, John Engler, Republican candidate for Governor, selected Binsfeld as his running mate. They won the election, and Binsfeld served as Lieutenant Governor from 1991-1999. Connie Berube Binsfeld currently resides in Maple City, Michigan.

From the description of Connie Binsfeld papers, 1984-1990. (State Archive of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 652681961

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