LANSING, Michigan — David Hollister, the former Lansing mayor, longtime Michigan lawmaker, educator and economic-development leader whose public-service career spanned more than five decades, has died. He was 84.
Hollister died on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, peacefully in the presence of his family, according to a family statement released the following day. His family described a career encompassing 53 years of work as an educator, county commissioner, state representative, mayor, state department director and community leader.
His death has prompted tributes across Lansing, where Hollister’s years in elected office were associated with efforts to retain General Motors operations, redevelopment along Michigan Avenue and the arrival of minor league baseball.
Who Was David Hollister?
David Hollister was born on April 3, 1942, and began his professional career as an educator.
He taught government, history and economics at Durand High School and Lansing Eastern High School before entering elected public service. His family said that an encounter with civil-rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in 1965 influenced him, and Hollister later spent portions of the summers of 1966 and 1968 volunteering as a teacher in Freedom Schools in Holly Springs, Mississippi.
Hollister’s first elected position was on the Ingham County Board of Commissioners, beginning in 1968.
He later won election to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1974 and represented the Lansing area from 1975 until 1993. During his legislative career, he worked on issues including open-government requirements, environmental protections, adoption reform, hospice care, consumer protections and seat-belt legislation.
David Hollister’s Years as Lansing Mayor
Hollister was elected mayor of Lansing in 1993 and served from 1994 until 2003, winning reelection in 1997 and 2001.
One of the most widely noted episodes of his tenure was the campaign to persuade General Motors to maintain a major manufacturing presence in the Lansing region.
At a time when concerns were growing about GM’s future locally, Hollister helped bring together civic, business and community leaders in what became known as the “Save GM” effort. WKAR reported that GM then employed roughly 20,000 people at three factories in the area.
His administration was also associated with efforts to redevelop Michigan Avenue and bring professional minor league baseball to downtown Lansing. The Lansing Lugnuts began playing in the city in 1996, and development around the stadium later became part of what is known as the Stadium District.
Service Continued After Leaving City Hall
Hollister left the mayor’s office in 2003 after then-Gov. Jennifer Granholm appointed him to lead the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth.
His work there included the state’s Cool Cities Initiative, which focused on strengthening Michigan communities and attracting residents, talent and investment.
He later served as president and CEO of the Prima Civitas Foundation, working with Michigan State University and regional partners on entrepreneurship, innovation, workforce development and economic growth across mid-Michigan.
Even after leaving elected office, Hollister remained involved in civic and regional initiatives.
Lansing Mayor Andy Schor Pays Tribute
Current Lansing Mayor Andy Schor issued a statement following Hollister’s death, crediting him with helping shape modern Lansing.
Schor highlighted Hollister’s work to retain General Motors, bring professional baseball to the city, promote the Stadium District and strengthen Lansing’s finances. He also pointed to Hollister’s years in the Michigan Legislature and his later state and regional work.
The city had already formally recognized Hollister’s contribution in 2017, when Lansing City Hall was named in his honor.
A Public-Service Career Spanning More Than Five Decades
Hollister’s career connected several generations of Lansing civic life.
He moved from teaching young people to county government, the Michigan Legislature, Lansing City Hall, state government and regional economic-development organizations.
His family said his career was guided by a commitment to civic engagement, public service and improving quality of life throughout the Lansing region.
For Lansing residents, perhaps his most visible legacy remains the physical transformation of parts of the city and the continuing presence of General Motors manufacturing in the region.
David Hollister Cause of Death
Hollister’s family confirmed that he died peacefully with relatives present on September 22.
A specific cause of death was not announced in the family statement reviewed for this report.
Accordingly, no particular medical condition should be identified as the cause of his death unless his family or another authoritative source provides that information.
Funeral and Memorial Arrangements
The family said additional information concerning memorial arrangements would be announced later.
As Lansing residents, former colleagues and public officials remember Hollister, tributes are expected to focus on a public-service career that began in education and ultimately shaped local and state government for more than half a century.
David Hollister was 84.
Disclaimer
This article is based on a statement released by David Hollister’s family and reporting from WKAR, WILX and the Lansing State Journal on September 23, 2026. His death on September 22 at age 84 has been confirmed. A specific cause of death and complete funeral or memorial arrangements had not been publicly announced at the time of publication. Political and public-service accomplishments described here are presented as documented historical facts or attributed assessments rather than political endorsements.