Elections / 1982 · Senate · MI
The Democratic candidate won Michigan's Senate seat D+16.9.
Michigan, 1982. Candidate results and statewide totals below.
Michigan — 1982 Senate result
Source: MIT Election Data + Science Lab, 1976–2024 Senate returns (party-classified by literal ballot party).
Democratic (D)
1,728,793
57.7%
Republican (R)
1,223,288
40.9%
All others
42,211
1.4%
Margin
D+16.9
Candidates
Statewide candidate totals — MIT Election Data + Science Lab, 1982 Senate returns.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| JR. Donald W. Riegle | DDemocrat | 1,728,793 | 57.7% |
| Philip E. Ruppe | RRepublican | 1,223,288 | 40.9% |
| Bette Erwin | OLibertarian | 19,131 | 0.6% |
| Daniel Eller | OAmerican Independent | 12,660 | 0.4% |
| Helen Halyard | OWorkers League | 6,085 | 0.2% |
| Steve Beumer | OSocialist Workers | 4,335 | 0.1% |
Michigan's Senate margins
Every contest in our store, 1976–2024
| Year | Margin (D minus R) |
|---|---|
| 1976 | +5.6% |
| 1978 | +4.3% |
| 1982 | +16.9% |
| 1984 | +4.6% |
| 1988 | +21.9% |
| 1990 | +16.3% |
| 1994 | −9.1% |
| 1996 | +18.5% |
| 2000 | +1.6% |
| 2002 | +22.7% |
| 2006 | +15.7% |
| 2008 | +28.8% |
| 2012 | +20.8% |
| 2014 | +13.3% |
| 2018 | +6.5% |
| 2020 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | +0.3% |