Frank J. Kelley
Encyclopedia
Frank J. Kelley was the 50th Attorney General
of the U.S. state
of Michigan
. His 37-year term of office, from 1961 to 1998, made him both the youngest (36 years old) and oldest (74 years old) Attorney General in the state's history, and led to his nickname as the "Eternal General". He is the longest serving state attorney general in U.S. history.
After receiving undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Detroit, Kelley became a lawyer in private practice and received an appointment as city attorney of Alpena, Michigan
.
Kelley was appointed as Attorney General in 1961 by Governor John Swainson
to fill a vacancy left when Paul L. Adams
became a Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court
. Kelley was elected in his own right as the Democratic
candidate 10 times before his retirement from the position in 1998, when he was succeeded by future Governor of Michigan
Jennifer Granholm
. Governor Granholm has publicly acknowledged Kelley to be one of her mentors and closest advisors.
Kelley was the first state attorney general to establish both a consumer protection and environmental protection division. He became nationally recognized in the area of consumer protection appearing annually on the NBC show "Dateline" to discuss issues such as item pricing. He also gained statewide acclaim for battling utilities and insurance companies on rate increases.
While Attorney General, Kelley ran for election to the U.S. Senate in 1972, but lost to incumbent Robert P. Griffin
.
After his departure from the Attorney General's office, Kelley founded Kelley Cawthorne, a prominent lobbying and law firm in Lansing, Michigan
. In private practice he has represented the late Marge Schott during the sale of her majority interest in the Cincinnati Reds
Major League Baseball franchise. He also represents a host of major companies such as DTE Energy, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Michigan, and Palace Sports & Entertainment/Detroit Pistons organization.
In 1999, then Republican Governor John Engler named him to a seat on the Mackinac Island State Park Commission
which controls 80% of the island. In 2007, Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm named him Chair of the Commission. As Chair he replaced his law partner, Dennis O. Cawthorne, former Republican Leader of the Michigan Legislature.
was amended to place term limits on many elected offices, including Attorney General. Kelley's successors are limited to two four-year terms in office. During the debate over term limits, many proponents of term limits pointed to Kelley and Michigan's then-Secretary of State Richard H. Austin
, who served from 1971 to 1994, as examples of elected officials who had stayed in office too long. Upon his retirement, Kelley was still eligible for one more term. But he was stung by Austin's loss in 1994, and also said he wanted to leave on his terms, instead of having retirement forced on him.
Michigan Attorney General
The Attorney General of Michigan is the fourth-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. The officeholder is elected statewide in the November general election alongside the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, members of the Senate and...
of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. His 37-year term of office, from 1961 to 1998, made him both the youngest (36 years old) and oldest (74 years old) Attorney General in the state's history, and led to his nickname as the "Eternal General". He is the longest serving state attorney general in U.S. history.
After receiving undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Detroit, Kelley became a lawyer in private practice and received an appointment as city attorney of Alpena, Michigan
Alpena, Michigan
Alpena is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Alpena County. It is considered to be part of Northern Michigan. The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is located in the city. The population was 10,483 at the 2010 census...
.
Kelley was appointed as Attorney General in 1961 by Governor John Swainson
John Swainson
John Burley Swainson was a politician from the US state of Michigan, as well as the 42nd Governor of Michigan....
to fill a vacancy left when Paul L. Adams
Paul L. Adams
Paul L. Adams was a member of the Michigan Supreme Court in 1962 and also from 1964-1972.Adams was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. He received a bachelor's, master's and a law degree all from the University of Michigan. He was mayor of Sault Ste...
became a Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court
Michigan Supreme Court
The Michigan Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is known as Michigan's "court of last resort" and consists of seven justices who are elected to eight-year terms. Candidates are nominated by political parties and are elected on a nonpartisan ballot...
. Kelley was elected in his own right as the Democratic
Michigan Democratic Party
The Michigan Democratic Party is the state-level party of the United States Democratic Party in Michigan. It is based in Lansing. Mark Brewer is the current Party Chair.-Current officeholders:...
candidate 10 times before his retirement from the position in 1998, when he was succeeded by future Governor of Michigan
Governor of Michigan
The Governor of Michigan is the chief executive of the U.S. State of Michigan. The current Governor is Rick Snyder, a member of the Republican Party.-Gubernatorial elections and term of office:...
Jennifer Granholm
Jennifer Granholm
Jennifer Mulhern Granholm is a Canadian-born American politician, educator, and author who served as Attorney General and 47th Governor of the U.S. state of Michigan. A member of the Democratic Party, Granholm became Michigan's first female governor on January 1, 2003, when she succeeded Governor...
. Governor Granholm has publicly acknowledged Kelley to be one of her mentors and closest advisors.
Kelley was the first state attorney general to establish both a consumer protection and environmental protection division. He became nationally recognized in the area of consumer protection appearing annually on the NBC show "Dateline" to discuss issues such as item pricing. He also gained statewide acclaim for battling utilities and insurance companies on rate increases.
While Attorney General, Kelley ran for election to the U.S. Senate in 1972, but lost to incumbent Robert P. Griffin
Robert P. Griffin
Robert Paul Griffin was a U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator from the state of Michigan and Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court....
.
After his departure from the Attorney General's office, Kelley founded Kelley Cawthorne, a prominent lobbying and law firm in Lansing, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
. In private practice he has represented the late Marge Schott during the sale of her majority interest in the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
Major League Baseball franchise. He also represents a host of major companies such as DTE Energy, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Michigan, and Palace Sports & Entertainment/Detroit Pistons organization.
In 1999, then Republican Governor John Engler named him to a seat on the Mackinac Island State Park Commission
Mackinac Island State Park Commission
The Mackinac Island State Park Commission is an appointed board of the State of Michigan that administers state parklands in the Straits of Mackinac area. It performs public activities under the name Mackinac State Historic Parks...
which controls 80% of the island. In 2007, Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm named him Chair of the Commission. As Chair he replaced his law partner, Dennis O. Cawthorne, former Republican Leader of the Michigan Legislature.
Term limits
In 1993, the Michigan ConstitutionMichigan Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Michigan is the governing document of the U.S. state of Michigan. It describes the structure and function of the state's government....
was amended to place term limits on many elected offices, including Attorney General. Kelley's successors are limited to two four-year terms in office. During the debate over term limits, many proponents of term limits pointed to Kelley and Michigan's then-Secretary of State Richard H. Austin
Richard H. Austin
Richard H. Austin was the first African American to hold a state-wide elected position in Michigan. Austin served as the Michigan Secretary of State....
, who served from 1971 to 1994, as examples of elected officials who had stayed in office too long. Upon his retirement, Kelley was still eligible for one more term. But he was stung by Austin's loss in 1994, and also said he wanted to leave on his terms, instead of having retirement forced on him.