Gregory James Heard (born March 1, 1954) is the senior U.S. Senator from Michigan, serving since 1991. Heard, then only 36 years old, was elected in the 1990 Democratic landslide and was made Senate Majority Whip in 2005 following the rise of Olyn Michaels to Senate Majority Leader. When Michaels was defeated in the 2006 midterms, Heard became Senate Minority Leader in 2007. Heard is regarded as a member of the Democratic Party's moderate wing. Prior to being elected to the Senate, Heard was a U.S. Representative for Michigan's 2nd District from 1987-1991 and had interned for the Michigan Democratic Party since graduating law school.