1996Final results
1996 election for Connecticut's 4th District
U.S. House · Connecticut
Christopher Shays (R) won with 60.5% of the vote, defeating Bill Finch (D) by 22.8 points.
Christopher ShaysRepublican · winner
60.5%121,949
Bill FinchDemocrat
37.6%75,902
Edward H. TonkinLibertarian
1.4%2,815
Terry M. NevasNatural Law
0.5%1,046
201,712 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.
Bill FinchChristopher Shays
$222.2K
Raised by the campaign
$577.7K
$215.9K
Spent by the campaign
$552.6K
$2.2K
Cash on hand
$42.9K
Campaign money: FEC, through Jan 31, 1997; FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
Christopher Shays (R)Bill Finch (D)
Also on the ballot: Edward H. Tonkin (Libertarian), 1.4%; Terry M. Nevas (Natural Law), 0.5%