[1] Born in Detroit in 1942, Fitzgerald graduated from Austin Catholic Prep School and earned his bachelor's degree at Western Michigan University where he played college basketball.

While majority leader, in the wake of the Watergate scandal, Fitzgerald advanced legislation creating new standards of disclosure of outside income by public officials, the state's first code of ethics in statute, and public disclosure of campaign expenses.

"[3] In mid-1975, committees were formed to choose Fitzgerald as the Democratic nominee for Governor of Michigan in 1978, challenging William Milliken.

He campaigned on economic development, political reform, and environmental standards, but lost to the incumbent by 13 points.

He ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 1982, but lost to eventual Governor James Blanchard.