SAN DIEGO — Former U.S. Senator Donald W. Riegle, who represented Michigan in Congress for nearly three decades under seven presidents, has died at age 88. According to a family statement, Riegle died of cardiac arrest at his home in San Diego, with his wife of 48 years, Lori Hansen Riegle, by his side.

A native of Flint, Michigan, Riegle was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican in 1966 at age 28. As a congressman, he challenged President Richard Nixon's policies on the Vietnam War. He joined the Democratic Party in 1973.

Riegle was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1976 and served until 1994. As chair of the Senate Banking Committee, he pushed for financial reforms of the savings and loan industry. He was instrumental in getting treatment for Gulf War syndrome for military veterans who fought in the Persian Gulf in 1991. During his career, he also pushed for economic development and expansion of health insurance in Michigan.

His family said Riegle was proud of fighting for the rights of working people and leading the Senate opposition to the North American Free Trade Agreement. "The cornerstone of our family, Don was a kind, loving, courageous leader who taught us to stand up for justice, economic opportunity, and fairness for everyone," the family said in a statement.

In 1990, Riegle and four other senators faced Ethics Committee hearings about whether they pressured federal regulators to go easy on savings and loan kingpin Charles Keating after receiving campaign contributions from him. The Ethics Committee found he did not break any federal laws or Senate rules but determined his conduct gave the appearance of being improper.

In 2001, Riegle became chairman of government relations for the public relations firm APCO Worldwide. In retirement, according to the family statement, he spent time with his grandchildren and other family at his homes in Michigan and California. Memorial services are pending.