1970 Michigan Secretary of State election

none October 2026 October 2026 1970 Michigan Secretary of State election Michigan Presidential no 1966 Michigan Secretary of State election 1966 1974 Michigan Secretary of State election 1974 1970 11 03 File:Richard H. Austin (1).png 150x150px Richard H. Austin Democratic Party (United States) 1,423,801 55.65% File:Emil Lockwood.png Emil Lockwood Republican Party (United States) 1,110,600 43.41% Secretary of State James M. Hare Democratic Party (United States) Richard H. Austin Democratic Party (United States) The 1970 Michigan Secretary of State election was held on November 3. Incumbent Democrat James M. Hare did not run for re-election. Democratic nominee Richard H. Austin defeated Republican nominee Emil Lockwood. Austin was the first African American Michigan Secretary of State. History On September 18, 1969, incumbent Democratic Michigan Secretary of State James M. Hare officially announced he would not be seeking seeking an 8th term in 1970.September 19, 1969 It's Official: Hare Won't Seek 8th Term 4 The Flint Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-flint-journal-its-official-hare-wo/207741490/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 Hare had continuously served as state secretary of state since 1955. He explained that he had made the decision for health reasons.May 25, 1969 Hare Undecided About Re-election 1 Lansing State Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-hare-undecided-abo/207741516/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 Democratic nomination Bay County Clerk Steven Toth announced his candidacy for secretary of state in October 1969.October 12, 1969 Watchtower... 7 Lansing State Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-watchtower/207744384/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 In April 1970, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Sander Levin said the party should have an African American on the statewide ballot. It was reported by United Press International that Richard H. Austin was favored by the Democratic Party's Black caucus for the position of secretary of state.April 4, 1970 Levin Asks For Negro On Ticket 4 The Holland Sentinel https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-holland-sentinel-levin-asks-for-negr/207741736/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 Austin was the state's first Black Certified Public Accountant and had been serving as Wayne County auditor since 1966. He had narrowly lost the 1969 Detroit mayoral election to Roman Gribbs.August 20, 1970 Richard Austin Says He's Candidate For Dem Secretary of State Nomination 11 The Flint Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-flint-journal-richard-austin-says-he/207742653/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 Austin initially refused to run.June 27, 1970 Farnum To Seek Hare's Post 8 The Ann Arbor News https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ann-arbor-news-farnum-to-seek-hares/207742369/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 On June 24, William R. Blue, former congressional nominee, announced his candidacy for secretary of state.June 24, 1970 Blue Enters Democratic Race for Secretary of State 7 The Flint Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-flint-journal-blue-enters-democratic/207743742/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 On June 27, Billie S. Farnum, former Michigan Auditor General and congressman, announced his candidacy.July 2, 1970 Billie Farnum Announces Candidacy for Sec'y of State 2 Northwest Oakland County Herald Advertiser https://www.newspapers.com/article/northwest-oakland-county-herald-advertis/207742206/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 In July, former state representative Charles F. Gray announced his candidacy. Gray was backed by incumbent Hare for the position.July 8, 1970 Third Dem Is Candidate For Secretary of State 18 The Kalamazoo Gazette https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-third-dem-is-candi/207744123/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 Soon before the convention, on August 19, Austin confirmed himself as a candidate for the secretary of state position. The Democratic State Convention was held from August 22 to 23 at Civic Auditorium in Grand Rapids.July 26, 1970 Dems, GOP to Name Precinct Delegates 25 The Grand Rapids Press https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-dems-gop-to-name/208628448/ Newspapers.com October 19, 2026 Blue and Gray withdrew their candidacies on August 22.August 23, 1970 Little Known Hopeful Joins Levin's Team 1 Jackson Citizen Patriot https://www.newspapers.com/article/jackson-citizen-patriot-little-known-hop/207744226/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 Blue backed Austin after dropping out.August 23, 1970 Blue Pulls Out, Backs Austin for Nomination 25 The Flint Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-flint-journal-blue-pulls-out-backs/207743056/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 Farnum and Toth withdrew later. Austin won nomination at the convention.August 24, 1970 Democrat Slate Seeks Unity 1 Lansing State Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-democrat-slate-see/207743976/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 Republican nomination State Senate Majority Leader Emil Lockwood's intention to seek Republican nomination for secretary of state was reported on by December 1969.December 31, 1969 Senate GOP To Get New Leader 4 The Kalamazoo Gazette https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-senate-gop-to-get/207717157/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 In January 1970, Lockwood confirmed he would not be running for re-election in the state Senate, though he did not confirm his candidacy for the secretary of state position.January 8, 1970 Lockwood Says No 5 The Bay City Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bay-city-times-lockwood-says-no/207717188/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 Weldon O. Yeager announced his secretary of state candidacy on April 20. Yeager was the only Republican state representative from Detroit at the time.April 20, 1970 Rep. Weldon Yeager Seeks Hare's Office 2 The Grand Rapids Press https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-rep-weldon-yeage/207741183/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 Lockwood officially announced his candidacy on June 1.June 1, 1970 Sen. Lockwood Enters Secretary of State Race 12 Lansing State Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-sen-lockwood-ente/207717429/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 He resigned as state Senate majority leader to campaign.June 2, 1970 Republicans Name VanderLaan New Senate Majority Leader 4 The Flint Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-flint-journal-republicans-name-vande/207165130/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 The Republican State Convention was held from August 28 to 29 at Cobo Hall in Detroit.August 13, 1970 Republicans Meet Aug. 17 12 Ironwood Daily Globe https://www.newspapers.com/article/ironwood-daily-globe-republicans-meet-au/208628871/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 At the convention, the Michigan's two members of the Republican National Committee supported different secretary of state candidates. Committeeman Harold M. McClure supported Lockwood, while Committeewoman Ely M. Peterson supported Yeager. After a nearly two hour roll call, the official tally showed 800 votes for Lockwood and 790 votes for Yeager, resulting in Lockwood's nomination. Yeager pledged to support the state's party ticket.August 31, 1970 Political Campaigns Under Way Following Successful Conventions 32 Lansing State Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-political-campaign/207717519/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 Third party nominations The Socialist Workers Party convention was held in February in Detroit. John Hawkins, a 21-year old student at Wayne State University, was nominated for secretary of state.February 6, 1970 Socialist Labor Party Picks State Candidates 43 The Flint Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-flint-journal-socialist-labor-party/207744750/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 The Socialist Labor Party held their convention on April 12 in Detroit.April 13, 1970 Socialists Nominate 20 Jackson Citizen Patriot https://www.newspapers.com/article/jackson-citizen-patriot-socialists-nomin/207744904/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 Frank Troha was nominated for secretary of state. Troha was a milkman from Oak Park.October 31, 1970 Five Compete For Secretary Of State 40 The Flint Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-flint-journal-five-compete-for-secre/207758241/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 He was the party's secretary of state nominee in 1966.August 21, 1966 Socialists Pick Senate Candidate 55 Detroit Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-socialists-pick-senat/208630733/ Newspapers.com October 19, 2026 In late August, the American Independent Party held their convention in Mount Clemens. Klu Klux Klan leader Robert E. Miles was nominated for secretary of state. He was Grand Dragon of the United Klans of America in Michigan. He won 132 votes at the convention, 32 other votes going to a housewife from Lansing.August 30, 1970 Klan Boss To Represent AIP In Secretary of State Race 70 The Flint Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-flint-journal-klan-boss-to-represent/207716526/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 General election Democratic nominee Richard H. Austin defeated Republican nominee Emil Lockwood in the general election on November 3. Austin was sworn in on January 1, 1971. Austin was the first African American Michigan Secretary of State.November 4, 1970 Austin Beats Lockwood for Secretary Job 6 The Grand Rapids Press https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-rapids-press-austin-beats-lock/207763703/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026January 1, 1971 Milliken to be sworn in today at State Capitol 13 Battle Creek Enquirer https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-milliken-to-be-swo/207763655/ Newspapers.com October 6, 2026 Results The following are the official results as printed in the 1971–1972 Michigan Manual.1971 Michigan manual 1971/1972 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015071179280 504-505 English 1970 Michigan Secretary of State electionCounty election results in Baraga County, Cass County, and Saginaw County were changed and corrected, but were not updated in the official state results. Democratic Party (US) Richard H. Austin 1423801 55.65% Republican Party (US) Emil Lockwood 1110600 43.41% American Independent Party Robert E. Miles 18103 0.70% Socialist Workers Party (United States) John Hawkins 3182 0.12% Socialist Labor Party of America Frank Troha 2683 0.10% 18 0.00% 2558387 100.0 Democratic Party (United States) Notes References Secretary of State election Category:Michigan Secretary of State elections Michigan Category:November 1970 in the United States