1988Final results
1988 election for Connecticut's 4th District
U.S. House · Connecticut
Christopher Shays (R) won with 71.8% of the vote, defeating Roger Pearson (D) by 44.7 points.
Christopher ShaysRepublican · winner
71.8%147,843
Roger PearsonDemocrat
27.1%55,751
Nicholas J. TarziaOther party
1.2%2,379
205,973 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 1988
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.
Roger PearsonChristopher Shays
$46.6K
Raised by the campaign
$698.4K
$46.6K
Spent by the campaign
$675.1K
$4
Cash on hand
$23.4K
Campaign money: FEC, through Jan 31, 1989; FEC, through Dec 31, 1988.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1988