1996Final results
1996 election for Iowa's 1st District
U.S. House · Iowa
James Leach (R) won with 52.8% of the vote, defeating Bob Rush (D) by 7.2 points.
James LeachRepublican · winner
52.8%129,242
Bob RushDemocrat
45.6%111,595
Thomas W. IsenhourIndependent
0.9%2,277
Michael J. CuddeheNatural Law
0.6%1,394
244,596 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.
Bob RushJames Leach
$423.6K
Raised by the campaign
$371.6K
$419.6K
Spent by the campaign
$369.9K
$3.9K
Cash on hand
$10.7K
Other candidates' campaigns: Michael J. Cuddehe $7.3K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
James Leach (R)Bob Rush (D)
Also on the ballot: Thomas W. Isenhour (Independent), 0.9%; Michael J. Cuddehe (Natural Law), 0.6%