Published • loading... • Updated
Donald Riegle, who represented Michigan in Congress under 7 presidents, dies at 88
The former senator served 28 years in Congress, switched parties in 1973 and helped lead fights over trade and banking policy.
- Former U.S. Senator Donald Wayne Riegle, a Flint native who represented Michigan for nearly three decades, died Friday at age 88 at his home in San Diego, California, his family announced.
- Elected to the U.S. House as a Republican in 1966 at age 28, Riegle switched to the Democratic Party in 1973 over disagreements with President Richard Nixon's Vietnam War policies before joining the Senate three years later.
- As Senate Banking Committee chair, Riegle pushed financial reforms, sponsored the Chrysler Loan Guarantee Bill, and worked with Congresswoman Bella Abzug of New York to secure the 1973 Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
- Although the Senate Ethics Committee absolved Riegle of breaking laws during the 1990 Keating Five controversy, his conduct was criticized as improper. His family described him as a "kind, loving, courageous leader."
- After retiring in 1995, Riegle joined public relations firm APCO Worldwide and remained active in politics, supporting Barack Obama and Bernie Sanders while spending his final years with his wife of 48 years, Lori Hansen Riegle.
Insights by Ground AI
33 Articles
33 Articles
Former Michigan U.S. Senator Donald Riegle dies
FLINT, MI - MARCH 06: Former Sen. Donald Riegle (D-MI) speaks during a press conference on March 6, 2016 in Flint, Michigan. Riegle endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) prior to tonight's debate with rival candidate Hillary Clinton. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)Former Michigan U.S. Senator Don Riegle has died. He was 88 years old. Riegle started his political career as a Republican, became a Democrat, an…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources33
Leaning Left9Leaning Right6Center17Last UpdatedBias Distribution53% Center
Bias Distribution
- 53% of the sources are Center
53% Center
L 28%
C 53%
R 19%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium


















