1996Final results
1996 election for Michigan's 13th District
U.S. House · Michigan
Lynn Rivers (D) won with 56.6% of the vote, defeating Joe Fitzsimmons (R) by 15.3 points.
Lynn RiversDemocrat · winner
56.6%123,133
Joe FitzsimmonsRepublican
41.3%89,907
James F. MontgomeryLibertarian
1.4%3,114
Jane CutterWorkers World
0.4%976
Jim HartnettOther party
0.2%498
217,658 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.
Lynn RiversJoe Fitzsimmons
$1.1M
Raised by the campaign
$1.2M
$1.1M
Spent by the campaign
$1.2M
$9.1K
Cash on hand
$6.5K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
Lynn Rivers (D)Joe Fitzsimmons (R)
Also on the ballot: James F. Montgomery (Libertarian), 1.4%; Jane Cutter (Workers World), 0.4%; Jim Hartnett (Other party), 0.2%