L. Jean Willoughby

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L. Jean Willoughby
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
from the 62nd district
In office
January 1, 1981 – December 31, 1982
Preceded byCharlie James Harrison Jr.
Succeeded byCharlie James Harrison Jr.
Personal details
Born(1925-07-07)July 7, 1925
Peoria, Illinois
DiedApril 18, 2015(2015-04-18) (aged 89)
Oro Valley, Arizona
Political partyRepublican
Alma materUniversity of Detroit

L. Jean Willoughby (née Kauffman; July 7, 1925 – April 18, 2015) was an American politician.

Early life and education[edit]

L. Jean Kauffman was born on July 7, 1925, in Peoria, Illinois, to parents Louis and Agnes Kauffman. Jean attended Academy of Our Lady. She became a registered nurse at St. Francis Hospital, after which she met her husband, William A. Willoughby.[1] Jean and William married in 1949.[2] Together they had six children.[1] After having children, Jean went to college.[3] From the University of Detroit, she earned a BA in communications and an MA in political science.[1]

Career[edit]

In 1980, Willoughby, residing in Bloomfield Hills, sought political office for the first time.[4] She ran as a Republican against the incumbent Democratic State Representative Charlie James Harrison Jr. of Pontiac, who had already served four-terms, in the 62nd district. David Kushma of the Detroit Free Press described Willoughby's victory on November 4 as the "biggest upset" of the 1980 state house elections.[5] Willoughby won by a slim margin of 346 votes. This was confirmed after a recount.[6]

As state representative, Willoughby continued the support of her Democratic predecessors for state subsidies for the Pontiac Silverdome. The stadium was within the boundaries of her district.[7] In 1981, she argued it was important for the state to continue its funding of the Silverdome as the 1982 Super Bowl was being hosted there, which would bring the state a profit.[8]

In 1982, the state house districts were re-drawn and Willoughby was in the new 65th district. Willoughby attempted re-election against incumbent Republican State Rep. Ruth McNamee of Birmingham in the primary election. Willoughby was ultimately defeated by McNamee.[9]

From 1983 to 1991, Willoughby worked as budget director for Oakland County.[2]

Personal life[edit]

Willoughby was Roman Catholic.[1]

Later life and death[edit]

Willoughby retired to Horseshoe Bay, Texas. There, she volunteered as a guardian ad litem for Court Appointed Special Advocates. She later moved to Tucson, Arizona.[2] Willboughby died in her home in Oro Valley, Arizona, on April 18, 2015.[3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "House Photos and Biographies" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. 1981. p. 153. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Legislator Details - L. Jean Willoughby". Library of Michigan. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Jean Willoughby". Vistoso Funeral Home. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  4. ^ Von Der Heyden, Ute (February 2, 1981). "Harrison family gets shocker". Lansing State Journal. p. 11. Retrieved July 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Kushma, David (November 8, 1980). "Republicans gain in Michigan House, pick up six seats". Detroit Free Press. p. 47. Retrieved July 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Vote recount doesn't help loserseats". Detroit Free Press. December 12, 1980. p. 5. Retrieved July 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Kushma, David (March 26, 1981). "Silverdome Grant OKd in Narrow House Vote". Detroit Free Press. p. 3. Retrieved July 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "House may reconsider 2 budget cuts". Battle Creek Enquirer. March 19, 1981. p. 7. Retrieved July 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Liberals shine in Dem legislative races". Battle Creek Enquirer. August 12, 1982. p. 7. Retrieved July 11, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
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