1976Final results
1976 election for U.S. Senate in Michigan
U.S. Senate · Michigan
Donald Riegle (D) won with 52.5% of the vote, defeating Marvin L. Esch (R) by 5.6 points.
Donald RiegleDemocrat · winner
52.5%1,831,031
Marvin L. EschRepublican
46.8%1,635,087
Bette ErwinLibertarian
0.3%8,842
Theodore G. AlbertOther party
0.2%7,281
Paula L. ReimersSocialist Workers
0.1%3,399
Frank GirardOther party
0.1%2,554
Peter A. SignorelliOther party
0.1%2,218
3,490,412 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
Donald Riegle (D)Marvin L. Esch (R)
Also on the ballot: Bette Erwin (Libertarian), 0.3%; Theodore G. Albert (Other party), 0.2%; Paula L. Reimers (Socialist Workers), 0.1%; Frank Girard (Other party), 0.1%; Peter A. Signorelli (Other party), 0.1%