Political party Republican Role Political leader Name Emil Lockwood | Profession CPA and Lobbyist Party Republican Party | |
Born September 23, 1919
Ottawa, Illinois ( 1919-09-23 ) Died August 2, 2002, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States Education Kemper Military School, University of Michigan | ||
Alma mater University of Michigan | ||
Emil Lockwood (September 23, 1919 – August 2, 2002) represented Gratiot County in the Michigan Senate from 1963 to 1970, serving as Republican Party (GOP) Senate Minority Leader from 1965 to 1966 and Senate Majority Leader from 1967 to 1970. With F.J. Coomes in 1971, he co-founded Public Affairs Associates (PAA), the state's first multi-client bipartisan lobbying firm. As a young man, Lockwood served in the Pacific Theater in World War II, aboard a Landing Ship Tank (LST), earning several medals.
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Lockwood’s senate service became the “stuff of legends” during unprecedented crises of fiscal reform, and post-Detroit-riot civil unrest. He has been praised by Democrats and Republicans alike for his bipartisan approach to public service. “It was the most skillful leadership job I’ve seen in five years in the Capitol,” (George Romney, Governor of Michigan [R], 1963–69). “He set the standard for what a good Senate majority leader should be,” (John Engler, Governor of Michigan [R], 1991–2002). “My interest is in Lockwood’s legacy in the senate, where he was... more pragmatic than partisan in his trading and deal-making; [he] kept his word,” (George Weeks, The Detroit News).
Early years
Lockwood was born in Ottawa, Illinois, and was a descendant of Franz Karl Achard on his mother's side. His namesake, Emil Achard, founded Saginaw Plate Glass Company in Saginaw, Michigan, where his family eventually moved. Lockwood graduated from Kemper Military School in Boonville, Missouri with an associate degree, and from the University of Michigan where he earned his B.A. degree as well as an M.B.A. He served with distinction aboard an LST in the Pacific Theater of World War II.