Van De Zande was elected to the Senate representing the 18th district in 1948 and re-elected in 1952. Additionally, he served three terms in the Assembly. He had previously been Sheriff of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin. Van De Zande was a Republican. He also served on the Campbellport village board and was village president. Van de Zande was also Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner.[2][3] He resigned as insurance commissioner due to poor health, having served only three months.[4] After Van De Zande's death, Paul J. Rogan was appointed to succeed him as insurance commissioner.[4]