Representative Dick Chrysler

Richard R. Chrysler (born April 29, 1942) is an American businessman and former politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Michigan from 1995 until 1997. A member of the Republican Party, he represented his constituents in the United States House of Representatives for one term during a period of significant political change in the mid-1990s, participating in the national legislative process and contributing to debates over the direction of federal policy.

Details of Chrysler’s early life and upbringing are not extensively documented in public sources, but he came of age in the post–World War II era, a time of rapid economic expansion and industrial growth in the United States. This environment helped shape his later interest in business and economic issues, which would become central themes in his professional and political career.

Before entering Congress, Chrysler established himself as a businessman, building a career in the private sector that informed his political views on regulation, taxation, and economic development. His experience as a business executive provided him with a practical understanding of the challenges faced by employers and workers, and he carried this perspective into his later public service. His business background was a key part of his political identity and appeal to voters, particularly in a state with a strong manufacturing and industrial base such as Michigan.

Chrysler was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican and served from January 3, 1995, to January 3, 1997. His term coincided with the 104th Congress, a notable period in American political history marked by the Republican Party’s “Contract with America” and a shift in control of the House of Representatives. During this time, Chrysler participated in the democratic process at the federal level, representing the interests of his Michigan constituents and engaging in legislative deliberations on issues of national importance. As a member of the House, he contributed to the work of Congress during debates over federal spending, regulatory reform, and the role of the federal government in economic and social policy.

Throughout his congressional service, Chrysler aligned with the broader priorities of the Republican majority of the mid-1990s, emphasizing themes such as fiscal responsibility, limited government, and support for private enterprise. He took part in the legislative agenda that sought to reshape aspects of federal policy in line with these principles. Although he served only one term, from 1995 to 1997, his tenure placed him at the center of a pivotal moment in contemporary congressional history, as long-standing policy frameworks were reconsidered and contested.

After leaving Congress at the conclusion of his term in 1997, Chrysler returned to private life and to his professional pursuits outside of elective office. As a former member of Congress and businessman, he remained part of the broader community of public figures whose careers bridged both the private sector and national politics. His appearances on public affairs programming, including C-SPAN, and his inclusion in reference works such as the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress and The Political Graveyard, reflect his continuing place in the historical record of Michigan’s congressional delegation and the political landscape of the 1990s.