Rep. Anzelc battles prostate cancer

Rep. Tom Anzelc said he knew something was wrong shortly after he was elected to a fourth term in the state Legislature this fall.

The 66-year-old Balsam Township resident — who won a hard-fought contest among incumbents for the new District 5B in the Grand Rapids area — announced Thursday that he is battling prostate cancer.

“In retrospect, there were telltale signs that my health was changing,” Anzelc said. But the campaign was “everything,” he said, and he didn’t see a doctor until after the Nov. 6 win against Rep. Carolyn McElfatrick. He said the cancer is treatable.

Anzelc has known his diagnosis for a few months and said the only thing that would keep him from performing his duties in the current legislative session would be occasional fatigue. He is being treated in Duluth and the Twin Cities area. He said he has informed House leadership and has plans for working from home if need be.

“I’ll be there every day as required,” Anzelc said. “I look forward to an important session.”

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