1988Final results
1988 election for Maryland's 3rd District
U.S. House · Maryland
Benjamin L. Cardin (D) won with 72.9% of the vote, defeating Ross Z. Pierpont (R) by 45.8 points.
Benjamin L. CardinDemocrat · winner
72.9%133,779
Ross Z. PierpontRepublican
27.1%49,733
183,512 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.
Benjamin L. CardinRoss Z. Pierpont
$405.8K
Raised by the campaign
$50.4K
$354.7K
Spent by the campaign
$48.1K
$81.8K
Cash on hand
$2.3K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1988.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1988