Michigan Republican Party Former Senator Tom Casperon, from Escanaba, died Sunday after a two-year battle with lung cancer.

HOUGHTON — Tom Casperson, former Michigan lawmaker from the Upper Peninsula, died on Sunday, Nov. 29, at the age of 61, from lung cancer, reported the Associated Press on Monday.

Casperson, a Republican from Escanaba, cast a key vote to expand Medicaid, and built alliances with labor unions, and was called by fellow Republicans a “titan of the Upper Peninsula.”

Casperson served six years in the House, and eight years in the Senate, being ineligible to run again after he reached his term limits after 2018.

In a release issued Monday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Office, Whitmer said Casperson was an unwavering public servant, who made sure “Yoopers always felt like their voices were heard in our state capitol at every point during the legislative process.”

Whitmer said that while hers and Casperson’s politics varied, he proved that it was still possible to find common ground and work together to do was right by the people of Michigan.

“As Senate Democratic Leader,” said Whitmer, “I was proud to work across the aisle with state Senator Casperson to expand health care coverage through the Healthy Michigan plan, which now ensures coverage for more than 800,000 Michiganders across our state. Despite his diagnosis, Tom remained committed to doing the people’s work as he battled this vicious disease. My thoughts are with Tom’s family during this difficult time.”

Casperson, whose family has operated a log trucking business in Escanaba for three generations, served in the state Senate from 2011 until 2018, when he was term limited out of office, reported the Detroit Free Press Monday. He made an unsuccessful run for Congress in 2016, but lost in the Republican primary. He served in the state House from 2003 to 2008.

Casperson was a conservative voice on taxes and regulation who frequently criticized state agencies for how they regulated wetlands and forests, state the Free Press.

He cast a key vote to expand Medicaid during Gov. Rick Snyder’s administration. He was also praised by unions for voting against right-to-work legislation, which made union membership voluntary. The bill, however, was signed into law.

“He was a constant champion of the U.P., and gave voice to those too often left out of the process.” said Dan Scripps, chairman of the Michigan Public Service Commission.

In her release, Whitmer said that after funeral arrangements are announced, her office will issue a release regarding the lowering of U.S. and state of Michigan flags in Casperon’s honor.

Casperon had battled his cancer for two years.