1996 United States Senate election in Rhode Island
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| Elections in Rhode Island |
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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.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Jack Reed, U.S. Representative
- Donald Gill
Results
| 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
| 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
Map legend
- Reed—50–60%
- Reed—60–70%
| 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 | ||||