The 1994 United States Senate election in Michigan was held November 8, 1994. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator
Don Riegle decided to retire and not run for re-election. Republican
Spencer Abraham won the open seat, becoming the first Republican to win a U.S. Senate race in Michigan since
Robert P. Griffin in
1972 and the first to win the state's Class I seat since
Charles E. Potter in
1952. As of 2024[update], this was the only time since
1972 that Republicans won a U.S. Senate election in Michigan.
Background
Riegle, a three term incumbent, was considered one of the most vulnerable Senate Democrats in the
1994 mid-term elections, due to the unpopularity of
President Bill Clinton[1] and his being involved as a member of the
Keating Five, a group of five
United States Senators who were accused of corruption. After months of speculation, Riegle announced he would not seek a 4th term in a speech on the Senate floor.[2]
The 1994 United States Senate election in Michigan was held November 8, 1994. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator
Don Riegle decided to retire and not run for re-election. Republican
Spencer Abraham won the open seat, becoming the first Republican to win a U.S. Senate race in Michigan since
Robert P. Griffin in
1972 and the first to win the state's Class I seat since
Charles E. Potter in
1952. As of 2024[update], this was the only time since
1972 that Republicans won a U.S. Senate election in Michigan.
Background
Riegle, a three term incumbent, was considered one of the most vulnerable Senate Democrats in the
1994 mid-term elections, due to the unpopularity of
President Bill Clinton[1] and his being involved as a member of the
Keating Five, a group of five
United States Senators who were accused of corruption. After months of speculation, Riegle announced he would not seek a 4th term in a speech on the Senate floor.[2]