1976 United States Senate election in Michigan

The 1976 United States Senate election in Michigan took place on November 2, 1976. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Philip Hart decided to retire instead of seeking a fourth term because he had terminal cancer. Republican turned Democrat Representative Donald Riegle won the open seat, keeping it in Democrats' hands.

Candidates

 * Richard H. Austin, Michigan Secretary of State
 * James L. Elsman
 * James G. O'Hara, U.S. Representative from Utica
 * Donald Riegle, U.S. Representative from Flint

Candidates

 * Deane Baker
 * Thomas E. Brennan, former Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court
 * Marvin L. Esch, U.S. Representative from Ann Arbor
 * Robert J. Huber, former U.S. Representative from Troy and candidate for U.S. Senate in 1970

Aftermath
Incumbent Senator Hart died of melanoma on December 26, and Riegle was appointed to finish the remaining days of his final term in office, giving him seniority over his freshman colleagues.