1986Final results
1986 election for Ohio's 17th District
U.S. House · Ohio
James Traficant (D) won with 72.3% of the vote, defeating James H. Fulks (R) by 44.5 points.
James TraficantDemocrat · winner
72.3%112,855
James H. FulksRepublican
27.7%43,334
156,189 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.
James TraficantJames H. Fulks
$139.8K
Raised by the campaign
$91.3K
$91.3K
Spent by the campaign
$91K
$51.6K
Cash on hand
$274
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1986.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1986