1996 Delaware gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1996 United States gubernatorial elections.

1996 Delaware gubernatorial election

November 5, 1996

Nominee Tom Carper Janet Rzewnicki Party Democratic Republican Running mate Ruth Ann Minner Sherman N. Miller Popular vote 188,300 82,564 Percentage 69.5% 30.5%

Carper:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

Governor before election Tom Carper Democratic Elected Governor Tom Carper Democratic

The 1996 Delaware gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1996, to elect the governor of the state of Delaware. Incumbent governor Thomas Carper, the Democratic nominee, was re-elected to his second and final term in a landslide over Republican nominee and Delaware State Treasurer Janet Rzewnicki. Both were unopposed in their respective primaries. Tom Carper became the first Democratic governor in state history to win 2 consecutive terms.

As of 2024, this is the last election where both the governor, and the lieutenant governor were on the same ballot.

General election

Results

Delaware gubernatorial election, 1996

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Tom Carper (incumbent)	188,300	69.50%	+4.75%
	Republican	Janet Rzewnicki	82,654	30.50%	−2.24%
Majority			105,646	38.99%	+6.99%
Turnout			270,954
	Democratic hold		Swing