1986Final results
1986 election for Maryland's 3rd District
U.S. House · Maryland
Benjamin L. Cardin (D) won with 79.1% of the vote, defeating Ross Z. Pierpont (R) by 58.2 points.
Benjamin L. CardinDemocrat · winner
79.1%100,161
Ross Z. PierpontRepublican
20.9%26,452
126,613 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1986
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Benjamin L. CardinRoss Z. Pierpont
$648.4K
Raised by the campaign
$50.9K
$615.4K
Spent by the campaign
$46.5K
$32.9K
Cash on hand
$4.5K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1986; FEC, through Nov 24, 1986.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1986