The 1994 United States Senate election in Michigan was held November 8, 1994. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Don Riegle decided to retire and not run for re-election. Republican Spencer Abraham won the open seat, becoming the first Republican to win a U.S. Senate race in Michigan since Robert P. Griffin in 1972 and the first to win the state's Class I seat since Charles E. Potter in 1952. As of 2024[update], this was the only time since 1972 that Republicans won a U.S. Senate election in Michigan.
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County results Abraham: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Carr: 40–50% 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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Riegle, a three term incumbent, was considered one of the most vulnerable Senate Democrats in the 1994 mid-term elections, due to the unpopularity of President Bill Clinton[1] and his being involved as a member of the Keating Five, a group of five United States Senators who were accused of corruption. After months of speculation, Riegle announced he would not seek a 4th term in a speech on the Senate floor.[2]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Bob Carr | 157,585 | 24.02% | |
Democratic | Lana Pollack | 151,323 | 23.06% | |
Democratic | Joel Ferguson | 130,125 | 19.83% | |
Democratic | William Brodhead | 94,601 | 14.42% | |
Democratic | John F. Kelly | 71,964 | 10.97% | |
Democratic | Carl Marlinga | 50,329 | 7.67% | |
Write-in | 271 | 0.04% | ||
Total votes | 656,198 | 100.00% |
The Republican primary campaign amicably divided the Romney family. Though Ronna Romney had divorced Scott Romney two years prior, Scott's brother Mitt Romney (also a candidate for the United States Senate in Massachusetts) returned to Michigan to campaign for her.[4][5] Scott and Mitt's father George W. Romney, the former Governor of Michigan, endorsed Abraham, having promised Abraham the endorsement prior to her candidacy.[4][6] Her daughter, the future Chairman of the Republican National Committee Ronna Romney McDaniel, volunteered as a driver during her campaign.[7]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Spencer Abraham | 292,399 | 51.95% | |
Republican | Ronna Romney | 270,304 | 48.02% | |
Write-in | 202 | 0.04% | ||
Total votes | 562,905 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Spencer Abraham | 1,578,770 | 51.88% | |||
Democratic | Bob Carr | 1,300,960 | 42.75% | |||
Libertarian | Jon Coon | 128,393 | 4.22% | |||
Workers World | William Roundtree | 20,010 | 0.66% | |||
Natural Law | Chris Wege | 14,746 | 0.48% | |||
Write-in | 506 | 0.02% | ||||
Total votes | 3,043,385 | 100.00% | ||||
Republican gain from Democratic |
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