1988Final results
1988 election for U.S. Senate in Michigan
U.S. Senate · Michigan
Donald Riegle (D) won with 60.4% of the vote, defeating Jim Dunn (R) by 21.9 points.
Donald RiegleDemocrat · winner
60.4%2,116,865
Jim DunnRepublican
38.5%1,348,219
Dick M. JacobsLibertarian
0.8%27,116
Sally BierOther party
0.3%8,908
3,505,985 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.
Donald RiegleJim Dunn
$3.3M
Raised by the campaign
$471K
$3.4M
Spent by the campaign
$442.7K
$855.7K
Cash on hand
$28.3K
Other candidates' campaigns: Dick M. Jacobs $30.2K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1988.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1988
The candidates
Donald Riegle (D)Jim Dunn (R)
Also on the ballot: Dick M. Jacobs (Libertarian), 0.8%; Sally Bier (Other party), 0.3%