1988Final results
1988 election for Pennsylvania's 4th District
U.S. House · Pennsylvania
Joseph Kolter (D) won with 69.8% of the vote, defeating Gordon R. Johnston (R) by 40.3 points.
Joseph KolterDemocrat · winner
69.8%124,041
Gordon R. JohnstonRepublican
29.5%52,402
Erich L. KaltenhauserOther party
0.7%1,256
177,699 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.
Joseph KolterNo Republican
$176K
Raised by the campaign
—
$90.7K
Spent by the campaign
—
$149.1K
Cash on hand
—
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1988.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1988
The candidates
Joseph Kolter (D)Gordon R. Johnston (R)
Also on the ballot: Erich L. Kaltenhauser (Other party), 0.7%