1996Final results
1996 election for Maryland's 3rd District
U.S. House · Maryland
Benjamin L. Cardin (D) won with 67.3% of the vote, defeating Patrick L. McDonough (R) by 34.6 points.
Benjamin L. CardinDemocrat · winner
67.3%130,204
Patrick L. McDonoughRepublican
32.7%63,229
193,433 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.
Benjamin L. CardinPatrick L. McDonough
$527.2K
Raised by the campaign
$51K
$577.3K
Spent by the campaign
$49.5K
$88.1K
Cash on hand
$1.7K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996