1996Final results
1996 election for Minnesota's 4th District
U.S. House · Minnesota
Bruce Vento (D) won with 57.0% of the vote, defeating Dennis Newinski (R) by 20.2 points.
Bruce VentoDemocrat · winner
57.0%145,831
Dennis NewinskiRepublican
36.8%94,110
Richard J. GibbonsReform
3.6%9,323
Phil WillkieOther party
1.4%3,615
Dan R. VacekIndependent
1.1%2,696
255,759 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.
Bruce VentoDennis Newinski
$570.2K
Raised by the campaign
$316K
$559.4K
Spent by the campaign
$315.4K
$86.6K
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
Bruce Vento (D)Dennis Newinski (R)
Also on the ballot: Richard J. Gibbons (Reform), 3.6%; Phil Willkie (Other party), 1.4%; Dan R. Vacek (Independent), 1.1%