1996Final results
1996 election for Arizona's 5th District
U.S. House · Arizona
James Kolbe (R) won with 68.7% of the vote, defeating Mort Nelson (D) by 42.8 points.
James KolbeRepublican · winner
68.7%179,349
Mort NelsonDemocrat
25.9%67,597
John C. ZajacLibertarian
2.8%7,322
Ed FinkelsteinReform
2.5%6,630
260,898 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
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.
No DemocratJames Kolbe
—
Raised by the campaign
$420.8K
—
Spent by the campaign
$415.6K
—
Cash on hand
$45.3K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
James Kolbe (R)Mort Nelson (D)
Also on the ballot: John C. Zajac (Libertarian), 2.8%; Ed Finkelstein (Reform), 2.5%