1990Final results
1990 election for Maryland's 3rd District
U.S. House · Maryland
Benjamin L. Cardin (D) won with 69.7% of the vote, defeating Harwood Nichols (R) by 39.5 points.
Benjamin L. CardinDemocrat · winner
69.7%82,545
Harwood NicholsRepublican
30.3%35,841
118,386 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 1990
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. CardinHarwood Nichols
$532.8K
Raised by the campaign
$4.3K
$363.8K
Spent by the campaign
$4.2K
$250.7K
Cash on hand
$90
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1990; FEC, through Dec 6, 1990.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1990