LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex to be lowered to half-staff today to honor former state Sen. Tom Casperson of Escanaba, who died Sunday at age 61 after a two-year battle with cancer.

“Tom Casperson was an unwavering public servant, who made sure Yoopers always felt like their voices were being heard in our state Capitol at every point during the legislative process,” Whitmer said.

“As Senate Democratic Leader, 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,” Whitmer said.

Casperson first was elected to the 108th District seat on the Michigan Legislature in 2002, then the state Senate in 2010 for the 38th District, until he was forced out by term limits in 2018.

Casperson announced he had stage four lung cancer in 2018.

Flags should be returned to full-staff Thursday.