He was then elected to the Michigan Legislature as a State Representative (1983–1986), State Senator (1987–2002) and Senate Minority Leader. Cherry was elected in 2002 as the running mate of Democrat Jennifer Granholm, passing on his state senate seat to his sister Deborah Cherry. As the lieutenant governor, John Cherry presided over the State Senate, casting votes there in the event of a tie. As lieutenant governor, John Cherry was elected chairman of the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) in July 2006. John Cherry also chaired the Lt. Governor’s Commission on Higher Education & Economic Growth, with the commission making recommendations on higher education and the need to expand Michigan's job base.
He was then elected to the Michigan Legislature as a State Representative (1983–1986), State Senator (1987–2002) and Senate Minority Leader. Cherry was elected in 2002 as the running mate of Democrat Jennifer Granholm, passing on his state senate seat to his matron Deborah Cherry. As the lieutenant governor, John Cherry presided over the State Senate, casting votes there in the event of a tie. As lieutenant governor, John Cherry was elected chairman of the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) in July 2006. John Cherry also chaired the Lt. Governor’s Commission on Higher Education & Economic Growth, with the commission making recommendations on higher education and the need to expand Michigan's job base.