1996Final results
1996 election for Massachusetts's 2nd District
U.S. House · Massachusetts
Richard Neal (D) won with 71.7% of the vote, defeating Mark Steele (R) by 49.7 points.
Richard NealDemocrat · winner
71.7%162,995
Mark SteeleRepublican
21.9%49,885
Scott AndrichakIndependent
4.0%9,181
Richard KaynorNatural Law
2.3%5,124
227,411 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.
Richard NealMark Steele
$370.8K
Raised by the campaign
$1.4K
$227.1K
Spent by the campaign
$1.4K
$368.8K
Cash on hand
$23
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
Richard Neal (D)Mark Steele (R)
Also on the ballot: Scott Andrichak (Independent), 4.0%; Richard Kaynor (Natural Law), 2.3%