2006Final results
2006 election for Michigan's 3rd District
U.S. House · Michigan
Vernon Ehlers (R) won with 63.1% of the vote, defeating James R. Rinck (D) by 28.5 points.
Vernon EhlersRepublican · winner
63.1%171,212
James R. RinckDemocrat
34.6%93,846
Jeff A. SteinportLibertarian
1.4%3,702
Rodger GurkGreen
1.0%2,592
271,352 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 2006
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.
James R. RinckVernon Ehlers
$24.1K
Raised by the campaign
$458.4K
$24.1K
Spent by the campaign
$458.5K
$6
Cash on hand
$370.9K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2006.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2006
The candidates
Vernon Ehlers (R)James R. Rinck (D)
Also on the ballot: Jeff A. Steinport (Libertarian), 1.4%; Rodger Gurk (Green), 1.0%