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1972 United States Senate election in Michigan

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1972 United States Senate election in Michigan

← 1966 November 7, 1972 1978 →
 
Nominee Robert P. Griffin Frank J. Kelley
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,781,065 1,577,178
Percentage 52.28% 46.29%

County results
Griffin:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%
Kelley:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Robert P. Griffin
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Robert P. Griffin
Republican

The 1972 United States Senate election in Michigan was held on November 7, 1972. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator and Senate Minority Whip Robert P. Griffin ran for re-election to a second term, won reelection defeating the Democratic candidate, and Michigan Attorney General Frank J. Kelley by 6%. Despite President Richard Nixon’s landslide victory in Michigan and the rest of the country, Griffin’s margin of victory decreased from the previous election.

As of 2024, this was the last time that the Republicans have won Michigan’s Class 2 Senate seat, as well as the last time that a member of the party has been re-elected to either of the state’s Senate seats.

General election

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Candidates

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  • Thomas D. Dennis Jr. (Communist)
  • Patrick V. Dillinger (American Independent)
  • Robert P. Griffin, incumbent U.S. Senator since 1967 (Republican)
  • Barbara Halpert (Human Rights)
  • Frank J. Kelley, Michigan Attorney General (Democratic)
  • Linda Norquist (Socialist Workers)
  • James Sim (Socialist Labor)

Results

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General election results[1][2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert P. Griffin (incumbent) 1,781,065 52.28% Decrease3.62
Democratic Frank J. Kelley 1,577,178 46.29% Increase2.44
American Independent Patrick V. Dillinger 23,121 0.68% N/A
Human Rights Barbara Halpert 19,118 0.56% N/A
Socialist Workers Linda Norquist 2,389 0.07% N/A
Socialist Labor James Sim 2,127 0.06% Decrease0.19
Communist Thomas D. Dennis Jr. 1,908 0.06% N/A
Total votes 3,406,906 100.00%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Parker, Randy; crickets chirp (July 7, 2003). "Our Campaigns: MI U.S. Senate". Our Campaigns.
  2. ^ Clerk of the United States House of Representatives (1973). "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 1972" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office.