1996Final results
1996 election for New Hampshire's 2nd District
U.S. House · New Hampshire
Charles F. Bass (R) won with 50.5% of the vote, defeating Deborah Arnie Arnesen (D) by 7.0 points.
Charles F. BassRepublican · winner
50.5%122,957
Deborah Arnie ArnesenDemocrat
43.5%105,824
Carole LamirandeIndependent
4.4%10,753
Roy KendelIndependent
1.5%3,726
243,260 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.
Deborah Arnie ArnesenCharles F. Bass
$720K
Raised by the campaign
$691.4K
$706.6K
Spent by the campaign
$625.1K
$13.3K
Cash on hand
$66.9K
Other candidates' campaigns: Carole Lamirande $6.9K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
Charles F. Bass (R)Deborah Arnie Arnesen (D)
Also on the ballot: Carole Lamirande (Independent), 4.4%; Roy Kendel (Independent), 1.5%