1996Final resultsSpecial election
1996 special election for Texas's 8th District
U.S. House · Texas
Kevin Brady (R) won with 41.5% of the vote, defeating Gene Fontenot (R) by 2.5 points.
Kevin BradyRepublican · winner
41.5%80,325
Gene FontenotRepublican
38.9%75,399
Cynthia "cj" NewmanDemocrat
13.6%26,246
Robert MusemecheDemocrat
6.0%11,689
193,659 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 1996
The seat's recent races
Source: Past results: 99chambers results archive (MEDSL, Klarner, state election offices)
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Cynthia "cj" NewmanKevin Brady
$10.8K
Raised by the campaign
$1.2M
$10.6K
Spent by the campaign
$1.2M
$105
Cash on hand
$13.4K
Other candidates' campaigns: Gene Fontenot $1.4M · Robert Musemeche $35K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996