1996Final results
1996 election for Iowa's 2nd District
U.S. House · Iowa
James Nussle (R) won with 53.4% of the vote, defeating Donna L. Smith (D) by 7.6 points.
James NussleRepublican · winner
53.4%127,827
Donna L. SmithDemocrat
45.9%109,731
Albert W. SchoemanLibertarian
0.4%901
Peter LamoureuxNatural Law
0.3%772
239,299 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.
Donna L. SmithJames Nussle
$70.7K
Raised by the campaign
$779.3K
$69.8K
Spent by the campaign
$746.5K
$914
Cash on hand
$80.1K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
James Nussle (R)Donna L. Smith (D)
Also on the ballot: Albert W. Schoeman (Libertarian), 0.4%; Peter Lamoureux (Natural Law), 0.3%