An election was held on November 3, 1964, to elect all 38 members of the Michigan Senate for the 73rd Michigan Legislature. In the election, the Democrats won a 23–15 majority from what had been a Republican majority.
This was the first general election after the adoption of the 1963 Michigan Constitution in January 1964. The previous 1908 state constitution called for 34 state senators and for state senators to serve two-year terms. The new 1963 constitution expanded the state Senate to 38 members, and called for state senators to serve four-year terms. The 1963 constitution stipulated that the 1964 election would only grant two-year terms for state senators, and that four-year terms would begin at the next election in 1966.
History In the 1962 general election, the Republicans retained control of the chamber with a 23–11 majority over the Democrats.
The 1964 state primary was held on September 1. Of the incumbent state senators, 10 did not seek re-election. Of those, 5 sought other offices and 5 retired. Majority Leader Stanley Thayer unsuccessfully ran for Congress. Of the state senators seeking re-election, 9 were ousted. The Republicans defeated were John P. Smeekens, Frederic Hilbert, Paul C. Younger, Arthur A. Dehmel, Lester O. Begick, Harold Hughes, and Kent T. Lundgren. The Democrats defeated were Philip Rahoi and Charles O. McManiman. This left only 15 incumbents to compete in the general election.
While George Z. Hart the won Democratic primary in the 10th district, he was disqualified in later in September for also seeking renomination to the Dearborn city council in the same election. An attempt to appeal the decision to the Michigan Supreme Court was denied in October. Roger Craig was the runner-up in the primary, and was the one who initially sought the judgement to disqualify Hart. Craig was selected by the Wayne County Democratic committee to replace Hart on the general election ballot.
The general election was held on November 3. The Democrats won a 23–15 majority over the Republicans. Initial partial results made it appear as though Republican incumbent Thomas F. Schweigert lost re-election to Democrat A. M. Schneider, though later results revealed Schweigert had won. The only incumbent who lost re-election was Republican Lloyd A. Stephens. After the election, Democrat Raymond D. Dzendzel was elected majority leader, and Emil Lockwood was selected by Republicans as minority leader.
Republican state senator-elect Paul M. Chandler died on December 12, 1964, before he was able to take office.
The state Senate was sworn in on January 13, 1965.
Results The following are the official results as printed in the 1965–1966 Michigan Manual. The official results purposefully excluded scattered write-in votes.
Statewide Party Candi-dates Votes Seats No. % No. +/– % Democratic Party 38 1,743,918 58.03% 23 12 60.52% Republican Party 38 1,258,940 41.89% 15 8 39.47% Freedom Now Party 3 2,040 0.06% 0 0.00%Total 79 3,004,898 100.00% 38 100.00%
By district
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