Casperson

MARQUETTE — Former state Sen. Tom Casperson passed away at the age of 61 on Sunday.

The Republican lawmaker from Escanaba served for six years representing the 108th District in the Michigan House of Representatives followed by two terms representing the 38th District in the Michigan Senate beginning in 2010.

Casperson was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in 2018.

Touted by supporters and colleagues as “one of the great guys in politics,” a “titan,” and a “champion of the U.P.,” many tributes poured in across social media on Sunday.

“Tom fought the good fight for all of us in the U.P.,” state Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township, said in a statement on Facebook. “He desperately wanted us to live free but still connected as a community. Always humble, he never became pompous or vain, even stooping to work for me after terming out in the Senate.”

Casperson was always willing to cross party lines in order to get things done, said state Rep. Sara Cambensy, D-Marquette, who represents the 109th District.

“The U.P. lost a true leader (Sunday) with the passing on Sen. Tom Casperson,” Cambensy wrote on Facebook. “One of the first things I did when elected was pass a resolution in support of reopening the Empire Mine, and I did it with Tom. I had the House version, he had the Senate version, and both passed unanimously in each chamber. I have both resolutions hanging side-by-side in my house today.

“Thanks for everything you’ve done, Tom. For taking me in and making me part of Team U.P. You don’t see a lot of Democrats and Republicans working together today for the good of the people, but that’s the only way Yooper legislators know how to be. We’re fighters, and you never stopped fighting for the U.P. We will never, ever forget that.”

State Rep. Beau LaFave, R-Iron Mountain, of the 108th District also expressed his gratitude on social media for his experience working alongside Casperson for two years.

“Tom Casperson was a statesman who accomplished more for the U.P. than any other lawmaker since term limits,” he said. “I always looked up to Tom as a mentor. It was the honor of a lifetime to work alongside him for two short but very productive years.

“He was intelligent, humble and funny. When the history books write about U.P. political giants, it will read Dominic Jacobetti (D-Negaunee), Joe Mack (D-Gogebic County) and Tom Casperson. Thank you, Casperson family, for sharing him with the entire state. We are a better state because of it.”

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also released a statement remembering Casperson on Monday morning.

“Tom Casperson was an unwavering public servant, who made sure Yoopers always felt like their voices were heard in our state Capitol at every point during the legislative process,” Whitmer said. “While our politics varied, Tom proved that it was still possible to find common ground and work together to do right by the people of Michigan.

“As Senate Democratic Leader, I was proud to work across the aisle with state Sen. Casperson to expand health care coverage through the Healthy Michigan plan, which now ensures coverage for more than 800,000 Michiganders across our state. Despite his (lung cancer) diagnosis, Tom remained committed to doing the people’s work as he battled this vicious disease. My thoughts are with Tom’s family during this difficult time.”

Whitmer’s office says U.S. and Michigan flags will be lowered to half staff in Casperson’s honor once funeral arrangements are announced.

Casperson was born July 20, 1959, in Escanaba. An Escanaba High School graduate of the Class of 1977, Casperson went on to join his family’s trucking business, Casperson and Son Trucking, upon graduation. He took over the business in 1992 before he started his career in politics some years later.

In 1998, Casperson had the urge to take action when a logging truck accident killed a woman and her daughter. Casperson reached out to elected officials and the Michigan Department of Transportation in an effort to change the configuration of logging trucks and their safety, according to an Iron Mountain Daily News article from 2019.

Casperson decided to run for the 108th District State House seat in 2002, serving six years before winning election as ­­38th District state senator in 2010. His term expired in 2018 and he was succeeded in the Senate seat by McBroom.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Casperson was “a conservative voice on taxes and regulation who frequently criticized state agencies for overreach in regulation of wetlands and forests. He was also a decisive ‘yes’ vote when Michigan expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act in 2013, and who angered many Republicans when he voted against right-to-work legislation in 2012.”

In a statement put out by Michigan Senate Republicans, Casperson was remembered as a major player in U.P. politics.

“Today, we lost a titan of the Upper Peninsula,” the Senate GOP said on Facebook. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as we grieve the loss of our friend.”

Noting the steady support he provided in his years in the state Legislature, the Mackinac Bridge Authority released a statement Monday mourning the death of former state representative and senator Tom Casperson.

“Sen. Casperson championed many causes close to the hearts of his fellow native Yoopers, and was a friend to the Mackinac Bridge,” said MBA Chairman Patrick “Shorty” Gleason. “Our deepest sympathies are with his family and friends at this sad time.”

Casperson is survived by his wife Diane and their four children. Funeral arrangements have not been announced at this time.

Ryan Spitza can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. His email address is rspitza@miningjournal.net.