Frank Dwight Fitzgerald (January 27, 1885 – March 16, 1939) was an American politician. He was elected as the 34th and 36th governor of Michigan and was the only Michigan governor to die in office.
Fitzgerald entered politics in 1913, serving as clerk of the State House, as well as serving as clerk of the State Senate, a position held six years. He was also deputy secretary of state from 1919 to 1923.
In 1934, Fitzgerald resigned from office to run for Governor of Michigan. He was elected, defeating Democrat Arthur J. Lacy[1] and served a full two-year term. During his term, the state budget was balanced and the consolidation of state agencies was promoted. He was a delegate to the 1936 Republican National Convention, which nominated Alf Landon, who ultimately lost to Roosevelt in the 1936 General Election. Later that year, Fitzgerald was defeated in his bid for re-election as governor by Democrat Frank Murphy.
Fitzgerald's son, John Warner Fitzgerald, was a Michigan State Senator and Michigan Supreme Court Justice.[2] Fitzgerald's grandson, Frank M. Fitzgerald, served in the Michigan State House of Representatives between 1986 and 1998.[3] Fitzgerald's great-grandson, John W. Fitzgerald, is a Democratic State Representative for the 83rd Michigan House District, which includes portions of the City of Grand Rapids and the City of Wyoming.[4]
Non-consecutive election and death
Fitzgerald defeated Murphy in 1938, and joined John S. Barry as the only two people to serve non-consecutive terms as Governor of Michigan. He suffered a heart attack after battling the flu and died[5] in Grand Ledge at the age of fifty-four, only two and a half months after retaking office. Fitzgerald was the only Michigan governor to die in office and was succeeded by Lieutenant GovernorLuren Dickinson.
