1982Final results
1982 election for U.S. Senate in Michigan
U.S. Senate · Michigan
Donald Riegle (D) won with 57.7% of the vote, defeating Philip E. Ruppe (R) by 16.9 points.
Donald RiegleDemocrat · winner
57.7%1,728,793
Philip E. RuppeRepublican
40.9%1,223,288
Bette ErwinLibertarian
0.6%19,131
Daniel EllerAmerican Independent
0.4%12,660
Helen HalyardOther party
0.2%6,085
Steve BeumerSocialist Workers
0.1%4,335
2,994,334 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 1982
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Donald RieglePhilip E. Ruppe
$1.4M
Raised by the campaign
$1.1M
$697.2K
Spent by the campaign
$1M
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1982.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1982
The candidates
Donald Riegle (D)Philip E. Ruppe (R)
Also on the ballot: Bette Erwin (Libertarian), 0.6%; Daniel Eller (American Independent), 0.4%; Helen Halyard (Other party), 0.2%; Steve Beumer (Socialist Workers), 0.1%