1996 United States Senate election in Rhode Island

The 1996 United States Senate election in Rhode Island took place on November 5, 1996. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell decided to retire. Democratic nominee U.S. Representative Jack Reed won the open seat.

1996 United States Senate election in Rhode Island

← 1990 November 5, 1996 2002 →

Nominee Jack Reed Nancy Mayer Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 230,676 127,368 Percentage 63.31% 34.96%

County results Municipality results Reed:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Mayer:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Claiborne Pell Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Jack Reed Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Jack Reed, U.S. Representative
• Donald Gill

Results

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jack Reed	59,336	86.13%
	Democratic	Donald Gill	9,554	13.87%
Total votes			68,890	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Nancy Mayer, Treasurer of Rhode Island
• Thomas R. Post, Jr.
• Theodore Leonard

Results

Republican primary results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Nancy Mayer	11,600	77.47%
	Republican	Thomas R. Post, Jr.	2,302	15.37%
	Republican	Theodore Leonard	1,072	7.16%
Total votes			14,974	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Donald Lovejoy (I)
• Nancy Mayer (R), Treasurer of Rhode Island
• Jack Reed (D), U.S. Representative

Results

General election results^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Jack Reed	230,676	63.31%	+1.48%
	Republican	Nancy Mayer	127,368	34.96%	−3.21%
	Independent	Donald W. Lovejoy	6,327	1.74%
Majority			103,308	28.35%	+4.69%
Turnout			364,371
	Democratic hold		Swing

See also

• 1996 United States Senate elections