2012Final results
2012 election for Michigan's 1st District
U.S. House · Michigan
Dan Benishek (R) won with 48.1% of the vote, defeating Gary McDowell (D) by 0.5 points.
Dan BenishekRepublican · winner
48.1%167,060
Gary McDowellDemocrat
47.6%165,179
Emily SalvetteLibertarian
3.1%10,630
Ellis BoalGreen
1.2%4,168
347,037 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 2012
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.
Gary McDowellDan Benishek
$1.5M
Raised by the campaign
$2.2M
$1.5M
Spent by the campaign
$2.2M
$9.1K
Cash on hand
$88.7K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2012.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2012
The candidates
Dan Benishek (R)Gary McDowell (D)
Also on the ballot: Emily Salvette (Libertarian), 3.1%; Ellis Boal (Green), 1.2%