Former Michigan Senator Don Riegle Passes Away at 88
Don Riegle, a prominent figure in Michigan’s political landscape and former U.S. Senator, has died at the age of 88. His career spanned multiple decades, during which he transitioned from a Republican to a Democrat and later became a supporter of Bernie Sanders.
Riegle’s political journey began in 1966 when he entered the political arena as a Republican, encouraged by then-President Richard Nixon. He successfully secured a congressional seat representing his hometown of Flint, Michigan.
Notably, Riegle played a significant role in the passage of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, a landmark bill aimed at preventing discrimination in credit based on sex or marital status. The act was eventually signed into law by President Gerald Ford.
However, Riegle’s political alliance with the Republican Party was short-lived. In 1973, disillusioned by Nixon’s Vietnam War policies and the party’s Southern strategy, he switched his allegiance to the Democratic Party.
Riegle’s new political path led him to the U.S. Senate in 1976, where he won the first of three terms. During his tenure, he served as Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, focusing on legislation concerning financial modernization, community development, and interstate banking.
In 1994, Riegle opted not to run for re-election following allegations of improper intervention in a federal investigation of a Savings and Loan executive. Ultimately, he was cleared of any wrongdoing.
In his later years, Riegle became a vocal supporter of Senator Bernie Sanders, endorsing Sanders’ presidential campaigns in both 2016 and 2020. His political legacy is marked by his contributions to credit reform and community development.
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