1976Final results
1976 election for Michigan's 17th District
U.S. House · Michigan
William M. Brodhead (D) won with 64.2% of the vote, defeating James W. Burdick (R) by 29.8 points.
William M. BrodheadDemocrat · winner
64.2%112,746
James W. BurdickRepublican
34.4%60,476
Arve BakkenAmerican Independent
0.8%1,382
Christy WallaceSocialist Workers
0.3%490
C. M. Novess IIILibertarian
0.2%285
Scott ElliottOther party
0.1%194
175,573 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1976
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The candidates
William M. Brodhead (D)James W. Burdick (R)
Also on the ballot: Arve Bakken (American Independent), 0.8%; Christy Wallace (Socialist Workers), 0.3%; C. M. Novess III (Libertarian), 0.2%; Scott Elliott (Other party), 0.1%