Political Career
He served as a Battle Creek City Commissioner, 1979–1985, as mayor of Battle Creek, 1985–1987, and as a member of the Michigan Senate, 1987–2002, where he was president pro tempore, 1993–2002. He left the senate due to term-limit laws, but launched an unsuccessful campaign for the Republican nomination for governor in 2002, losing the primary to Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus.
Schwarz had previously attempted a bid for the Republican nomination for a seat in the U.S. House in 1992. He finished second to fellow state senator Nick Smith in the primary for the 7th District. Although Schwarz is from Battle Creek, the largest city in the district, two other candidates from the western portion of the district split the vote. This allowed Smith, the major candidate from the eastern portion, to win with only 37 percent of the vote.
In 2004, Schwarz ran for the 7th District again. Smith opted not to run for reelection, honoring a promise to serve only six terms in the House. Schwarz defeated Smith's son Brad Smith, Tim Walberg, and three others in a six-way Republican primary race. In the general election, Schwarz received 58% of the vote, while Democrat Sharon Renier received 36%. The remaining 6% was divided between the Green, Libertarian and U.S. Taxpayers Party candidates.
Schwarz is a member of the Republican Leadership Council and The Republican Main Street Partnership. He is also a member of The Republican Majority For Choice, Republicans for Choice and Republicans for Environmental Protection.
Schwarz is considered to be a moderate Republican who supports abortion rights and favors embryonic stem cell research. He has favored extending tax cuts, manufacturing liability reform and overhauling America's medical malpractice laws, which he says lead to frivolous lawsuits and force doctors to demur from treating patients. Schwarz was one of many GOP Congressmen to return to Washington, DC to vote to maintain Terri Schiavo's life support (Bill S 686) and also voted in favor of Bill HR 6099 which was designed to ensure that women seeking an abortion are informed regarding the pain allegedly experienced by their unborn fetus.
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