1988Final results
1988 election for Michigan's 15th District
U.S. House · Michigan
William Ford (D) won with 63.8% of the vote, defeating Burl C. Adkins (R) by 29.1 points.
William FordDemocrat · winner
63.8%104,596
Burl C. AdkinsRepublican
34.8%56,963
Eric BlankenburgLibertarian
1.0%1,613
Ronda M. Reed BellOther party
0.4%670
163,842 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.
William FordBurl C. Adkins
$335.3K
Raised by the campaign
$8.3K
$234.4K
Spent by the campaign
$8K
$156.8K
Cash on hand
$285
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1988.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1988
The candidates
William Ford (D)Burl C. Adkins (R)
Also on the ballot: Eric Blankenburg (Libertarian), 1.0%; Ronda M. Reed Bell (Other party), 0.4%