1996Final results
1996 election for Minnesota's 8th District
U.S. House · Minnesota
James Oberstar (D) won with 67.3% of the vote, defeating Andy Larson (R) by 42.1 points.
James OberstarDemocrat · winner
67.3%185,333
Andy LarsonRepublican
25.2%69,460
Stan "the Man" EstesReform
6.0%16,639
Larry FuholLibertarian
1.3%3,688
275,338 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.
James OberstarAndy Larson
$502.9K
Raised by the campaign
$28.1K
$538.2K
Spent by the campaign
$27K
$168.2K
Cash on hand
$1.1K
Other candidates' campaigns: Larry Fuhol $3.2K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
James Oberstar (D)Andy Larson (R)Stan "the Man" Estes (REF)
Also on the ballot: Larry Fuhol (Libertarian), 1.3%