1996 United States Senate election in Iowa

The 1996 United States Senate election in Iowa was held on November 5, 1996. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Tom Harkin sought re-election to a third term in office, and he was challenged by U.S. Congressman Jim Ross Lightfoot from Iowa's 3rd congressional district. Lightfoot had won the Republican primary against two opponents, while Harkin had won his primary uncontested, so both moved on to the general election, where they engaged in a toughly fought campaign. Ultimately, Harkin was successful in his bid and defeated Lightfoot, albeit by the narrowest margin of his career.

1996 United States Senate election in Iowa

← 1990 November 5, 1996 2002 →

Nominee Tom Harkin Jim Ross Lightfoot Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 634,166 571,807 Percentage 51.81% 46.71%

County results Harkin:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Lightfoot:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election Tom Harkin Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Tom Harkin Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Tom Harkin, incumbent United States Senator

Results

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Tom Harkin (incumbent)	98,737	99.19%
	Democratic	Write-ins	810	0.81%
Total votes			99,547	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Jim Ross Lightfoot, United States Representative from Shenandoah
• Maggie Tinsman, State Senator
• Steve Grubbs, State Representative

Results

Republican primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jim Ross Lightfoot	101,608	61.48%
	Republican	Maggie Tinsman	40,955	24.78%
	Republican	Steve Grubbs	22,554	13.65%
	Republican	Write-ins	153	0.09%
Total votes			165,270	100.00%

General election

Results

United States Senate election in Iowa, 1996^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Tom Harkin (incumbent)	634,166	51.81%	−2.66%
	Republican	Jim Ross Lightfoot	571,807	46.71%	+1.30%
	Independent	Sue Atkinson	9,768	0.80%
	Natural Law	Fred Gratzon	4,248	0.35%
	Independent	Joe Sulentic	1,941	0.16%
	Socialist Workers	Shirley E. Pena	1,844	0.15%
	Write-in		280	0.02%
Majority			62,359	5.09%	−3.96%
Turnout			1,224,054
	Democratic hold		Swing

See also

• 1996 United States Senate elections

References

1. "Iowa Primary Election - June 4, 1996" (PDF). Iowa Secretary of State.
2. Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 5, 1996" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 23.