1996Final results
1996 election for Missouri's 5th District
U.S. House · Missouri
Karen McCarthy (D) won with 67.4% of the vote, defeating Penny D. Bennett (R) by 38.5 points.
Karen McCarthyDemocrat · winner
67.4%144,223
Penny D. BennettRepublican
28.9%61,803
Kevin HertelLibertarian
1.9%4,110
Tom DanaherNatural Law
1.8%3,835
213,971 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.
Karen McCarthyNo Republican
$488.7K
Raised by the campaign
—
$221.3K
Spent by the campaign
—
$285.8K
Cash on hand
—
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
Karen McCarthy (D)Penny D. Bennett (R)
Also on the ballot: Kevin Hertel (Libertarian), 1.9%; Tom Danaher (Natural Law), 1.8%