1974 Michigan Secretary of State election

none September 2026 September 2023 1974 Michigan Secretary of State election Michigan Presidential no 1970 Michigan Secretary of State election 1970 1978 Michigan Secretary of State election 1978 November 5, 1974 File:Richard H. Austin (1).png 150x150px Richard H. Austin Democratic Party (United States) 1,767,344 69.27% File:N. Lorraine Beebe died 2005.jpeg N. Lorraine Beebe Republican Party (United States) 742,805 29.11% Secretary of State Richard H. Austin Democratic Party (United States) Richard H. Austin Democratic Party (United States) The 1974 Michigan secretary of state election was held on November 5. Incumbent Democrat Richard H. Austin defeated Republican nominee N. Lorraine Beebe. History Incumbent Democrat Richard H. Austin was first elected state secretary of state in 1970. He was the first Black Michigan secretary of state, and sought a second term in 1974. N. Lorraine Beebe, former state senator, announced she would seek the Republican nomination for secretary of state in June 1972. She had resigned as executive director of the Michigan Consumers Council a month earlier, amidst reports of dissatisfaction with her performance from Governor William Milliken. She announced her candidacy without consulting with her party.June 5, 1974 Beebe to Seek Nomination For Secretary of State 17 Lansing State Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-beebe-to-seek-nomi/206996272/ Newspapers.com September 29, 2026 The Democratic state convention was held from August 24 to 25 at Civic Auditorium in Grand Rapids. The Republican state convention was held from August 23 to 24 at Cobo Hall in Detroit.August 6, 1974 Dems, GOP to name statewide slates at party convention 16 Battle Creek Enquirer https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-dems-gop-to-name/206993142/ Newspapers.com September 29, 2026 Both Austin and Beebe were unopposed for nomination at their respective conventions.August 24, 1974 Democratic state convention called 'love-in' by one delegate 14 The Times Herald https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-herald-democratic-state-conven/206994478/ Newspapers.com September 29, 2026August 24, 1974 Smeekens Under Fire at GOP Convention 3 Lansing State Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-smeekens-under-fir/206993335/ Newspapers.com September 29, 2026 Beebe was reported as the first woman nominated for secretary of state in Michigan.August 26, 1974 State GOP ticket has two firsts, woman and black 8 The Times Herald https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-herald-state-gop-ticket-has-tw/206995319/ Newspapers.com September 29, 2026 Beebe's campaign was underfunded compared to Austin's.October 18, 1974 Secretary Of State Candidates Campaign Here 4 Kalamazoo Gazette https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-secretary-of-state/206993767/ Newspapers.com September 29, 2026 Austin won re-election. He was sworn in on January 1, 1975.January 2, 1975 Milliken Rejects 'Defeatism' In Second Term Inaugural 7 Petoskey News-Review https://www.newspapers.com/article/petoskey-news-review-milliken-rejects-d/206994628/ Newspapers.com September 29, 2026 Results The following are the official results as printed in the 1975–1976 Michigan Manual.1975 Michigan manual 1975/1976 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015071179306 548-549 English 1974 Michigan secretary of state election Democratic Party (US) Richard H. Austin (incumbent) 1767344 69.27% Republican Party (US) N. Lorraine Beebe 742805 29.11% American Independent Party Henry W. Kroes Jr. 16791 0.65% Human Rights Party (United States) James F. McClure 13990 0.54% Michigan Conservative Party Robert G. Lee 4434 0.17% Socialist Workers Party (United States) Rachele Fruit 2250 0.08% U.S. Labor Party Judith S. Crowell 1858 0.07% Socialist Labor Party of America John Gill Motzer 1674 0.06% 12 0.00% 2551158 100.0 Democratic Party (United States) References Secretary of State election Category:Michigan Secretary of State elections Michigan Category:November 1974 in the United States