1972 United States Senate election in Michigan

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 won a second full term against Democratic nominee 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. Following his defeat in this election, Kelley continued to serve as Michigan's State Attorney General until he left office in 1999.

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...

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

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As of 2026, this was the last time that the Republicans have won Michigan’s Class 2 Senate seat, as well as the last time that a Republican won re-election to either Senate seat in Michigan. Since this election, Republicans have only won one more Michigan U.S. Senate race, in 1994.