Legislator Details


James R. DeSana
AKA:
Number of sessions served 7
Gender: Male
Age at election: 46

Vital Records Information:

Birth
Date: 10/6/1930
City: Wyandotte, MI
County: Wayne County, MI
Country: US
 
Death
Date:
City:
County:
Country:
Type of Burial:
Burial
Date:
City:
County:
Country:
Cemetery:

Marital Information:
married Stephanie; children: 8

Number of Children: 8


Background

Religion: Catholic
Military Service: United States Navy
Occupation: businessman
Race: Caucasian or White

Education:
University of Detroit Mercy - Bachelor of Science, Business Administration and Management; attended Walsh Institute of Accounting and Business Law

Biographical Sketch:
DeSana has served in a variety of elected positions including Wyandotte City Councilman (1957-61 and 2001-05), Mayor (1961-68; 1987-97 and 2005-09), Wayne County Commissioner (1969-76), and State Senator (1976-86). He also served as the Director of the Michigan Dept of Transportation (MDOT) from May 1997 to November 2000. He owned an industrial supply company.

Notable Facts:
Changed parties and ran for the US Congress (16th dist.) against US Rep. John Dingell in 1996.


Sessions Served:

Chamber: House
Party: Republican
Committees Served On:
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Carleton
County of Residence Monroe
District: 29
District Description: parts of Monroe and Wayne Counties

Date Elected: 11/8/2022
Date Sworn In: 1/11/2023
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office:
End of Term Status:

Maritial Status: Married
Notes:
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Appropriations & Retirement
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Wyandotte
County of Residence Wayne
District: 7
District Description: Townships of Brownstown and Grosse Isle; cities of Allen Park, Ecorse, Gibralter, Lincoln Park, River Rouge, Riverview, Rockwood, Southgate, Trenton, Woodhaven and Wyandotte in Wayne County

Date Elected: 11/2/1982
Date Sworn In: 1/12/1983
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status:

Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Appropriations & Retirement
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Appropriations & Retirement
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Wyandotte
County of Residence Wayne
District: 7
District Description: Cities of Allen Park Ecorse, Gibraltar, Lincoln Park, River Rouge, Riverview, Rockwood, Southgate, Trenton, Woodhaven and Wyandotte; townships of Brownstown and Grosse Ile in Wayne County

Date Elected: 11/2/1982
Date Sworn In: 1/12/1983
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Married
Notes:
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Appropriations Subcommittee on Highways, Appropriations Subcommittee on Mental Health, Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Health, Appropriations Subcommittee on State Police and Military Affairs, Joint Administrative Rules
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Wyandotte
County of Residence Wayne
District: 11
District Description: Monroe County; and cities of Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Riverview, Rockwood, Trenton, Woodhaven and part Wyandotte [see tract detail in Manual p.485], townships of Brownstown, Grosse Ile and Huron in Wayne County; and part of the city of Milan in Washtenaw County

Date Elected: 11/7/1978
Date Sworn In: 1/10/1979
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status:

Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair for the Appropriations Subcommittees on Highways & Transportation; and Mental Health
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Apportionment , Appropriations Subcommittee on Highways, Appropriations Subcommittee on Mental Health, Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Health, Appropriations Subcommittee on State Police and Military Affairs, Joint Administrative Rules
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Wyandotte
County of Residence Wayne
District: 11
District Description: Monroe County and cities of Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Riverview, Rockwood, Trenton, Woodhaven, and Wyandotte (less all of tract 809.01-except block 509- and block 102 of tract 809.02); townships of Brownstown, Grosse Ile and Huron in Wayne County; City of Milan (pt) in Washtenaw County

Date Elected: 11/7/1978
Date Sworn In: 1/10/1979
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected

Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittees on Highways & Transportation; and Mental Health
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Energy, Appropriations Subcommittee on Corrections, Appropriations Subcommittee on Community Colleges, Appropriations Subcommittee on DNR & Agriculture, Appropriations Subcommittee on Highways
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Wyandotte
County of Residence Wayne
District: 11
District Description: Monroe County; and cities of Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Riverview, Rockwood, Trenton, Woodhaven and part Wyandotte [see tract detail in Manual p.485], townships of Brownstown, Grosse Ile and Huron in Wayne County; and part of the city of Milan in Washtenaw County

Date Elected: 1/13/1976
Date Sworn In: 1/1/1753
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected

Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Elected to replace John E. McCauley who had died in October 1975. Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Highways Vice-Chair of the Committee on Energy
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Agricultural and Consumer Affairs, Education , Joint Administrative Rules
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Wyandotte
County of Residence Wayne
District: 11
District Description: Monroe County; and cities of Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Riverview, Rockwood, Trenton, Woodhaven and part Wyandotte [see tract detail in Manual p.455], townships of Brownstown, Grosse Ile and Huron in Wayne County; and part of the city of Milan in Washtenaw County

Date Elected: 1/13/1976
Date Sworn In: 1/26/1976
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office:
End of Term Status:

Maritial Status:
Notes: Replaced Sen. McCauley. Vice-Chair of the Committee on Education

Bibliography:

Official Web site for Wyandotte Mayor's Office: http://wyandotte.net/mayor/index.htm; PolGryd; 1976 SJ p.82