Don Koivisto

Donald W. Koivisto (born August 18, 1949) is a Democratic politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.^[1]

Don Koivisto
Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture
In office September 5, 2007 – December 31, 2010
Governor	Jennifer Granholm
Preceded by	Mitch Irwin
Succeeded by	Keith Creagh
Member of the Michigan Senate from the 38th district
In office November 13, 1990 – December 31, 2002
Preceded by	Joseph Mack
Succeeded by	Michael Prusi
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 110th district
In office January 1, 1981 – December 31, 1986
Preceded by	Russell Hellman
Succeeded by	Richard A. Sofio
Personal details
Born	(1949-08-18) August 18, 1949 (age 75) Ironwood, Michigan
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Central Michigan University

Political career

Koivisto was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1980. During his time there, he chaired the Agriculture Committee and helped write the state's right-to-farm act.^[2][3] In 1990, Koivisto was elected a Michigan State Senator from the 38th district, succeeding Joe Mack, who had represented much of the Upper Peninsula since 1960. Koivisto served as state senator until 2003 when he was term-limited. In August 2007, the Michigan Commission of Agriculture appointed Koivisto as Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture.^[4][5]