# 1996 United States Senate election in Iowa

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vte :
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.

## Democratic primary
### Candidates

* Tom Harkin, incumbent United States Senator

### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Tom Harkin (incumbent) | 98,737 | 99.19% |
| | Democratic | Write-ins | 810 | 0.81% |
| Total votes | Total votes | 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 :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 165,270 | 100.00% |

## General election
### Results

United States Senate election in Iowa, 1996 :
| Party | 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 | Write-in | 280 | 0.02% | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 62,359 | 5.09% | −3.96% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,224,054 | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Swing | | |