1988Final results
1988 election for Massachusetts's 1st District
U.S. House · Massachusetts
Silvio Conte (R) won with 82.7% of the vote, defeating John R. Arden (D) by 65.4 points.
Silvio ConteRepublican · winner
82.7%186,356
John R. ArdenDemocrat
17.3%38,907
225,291 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.
John R. ArdenSilvio Conte
$772
Raised by the campaign
$142.2K
$472
Spent by the campaign
$131.6K
$300
Cash on hand
$278.9K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1988.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1988