1988Final results
1988 election for Illinois's 3rd District
U.S. House · Illinois
Martin Russo (D) won with 62.2% of the vote, defeating Joseph J. McCarthy (R) by 24.5 points.
Martin RussoDemocrat · winner
62.2%132,111
Joseph J. McCarthyRepublican
37.8%80,181
212,292 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.
Martin RussoJoseph J. McCarthy
$558.5K
Raised by the campaign
$83.2K
$558.3K
Spent by the campaign
$81.3K
$2.3K
Cash on hand
$1.9K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1988.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1988