1988Final results
1988 election for Michigan's 12th District
U.S. House · Michigan
David Bonior (D) won with 53.6% of the vote, defeating Douglas Carl (R) by 8.1 points.
David BoniorDemocrat · winner
53.6%108,158
Douglas CarlRepublican
45.5%91,780
Keith P. EdwardsLibertarian
0.6%1,311
Vincent Mario ContreraOther party
0.3%548
201,798 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 1988
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.
David BoniorDouglas Carl
$475.5K
Raised by the campaign
$156K
$434.2K
Spent by the campaign
$155.3K
$89.6K
Cash on hand
$719
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1988.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1988
The candidates
David Bonior (D)Douglas Carl (R)
Also on the ballot: Keith P. Edwards (Libertarian), 0.6%; Vincent Mario Contrera (Other party), 0.3%