He was a member of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands between 1989 and 2002 for the Labour Party and focused on interior affairs and defence policy.

He received his primary and secondary education in the village and then studied further at the Hogere Burgerschool in the city of Groningen.

[1] Zijlstra started his political career as member of the States of Groningen and was elected for one four-year term in 1974.

[1] Apart from his political career he also served in numerous boards of foundations and groups, including broadcaster RTV Noord for six years.

[3] Zijlstra was also chairman of the Veteraneninstituut [nl], the Dutch institute for military veterans, between March 2003 and February 2011.