1996Final results
1996 election for Michigan's 16th District
U.S. House · Michigan
John D. Dingell (D) won with 62.0% of the vote, defeating Jim DeSana (R) by 26.3 points.
John D. DingellDemocrat · winner
62.0%136,854
Jim DeSanaRepublican
35.7%78,723
Bruce W. CainLibertarian
1.4%3,155
Noha F. HamzeNatural Law
0.5%1,018
David SoleWorkers World
0.4%842
220,612 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.
John D. DingellJim DeSana
$1.5M
Raised by the campaign
$257.8K
$1.9M
Spent by the campaign
$248K
$53.4K
Cash on hand
$9.9K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
John D. Dingell (D)Jim DeSana (R)
Also on the ballot: Bruce W. Cain (Libertarian), 1.4%; Noha F. Hamze (Natural Law), 0.5%; David Sole (Workers World), 0.4%