1996Final results
1996 election for Missouri's 2nd District
U.S. House · Missouri
James Talent (R) won with 61.3% of the vote, defeating Joan Horn (D) by 24.2 points.
James TalentRepublican · winner
61.3%165,999
Joan HornDemocrat
37.1%100,372
Anton Charles SteverLibertarian
1.0%2,737
Judith ClesslerNatural Law
0.6%1,618
270,726 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.
Joan HornJames Talent
$385.8K
Raised by the campaign
$1.2M
$381.9K
Spent by the campaign
$1.2M
$3.9K
Cash on hand
$196.5K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
James Talent (R)Joan Horn (D)
Also on the ballot: Anton Charles Stever (Libertarian), 1.0%; Judith Clessler (Natural Law), 0.6%