1996Final results
1996 election for New Jersey's 10th District
U.S. House · New Jersey
Donald Payne (D) won with 84.2% of the vote, defeating Vanessa Williams (R) by 69.5 points.
Donald PayneDemocrat · winner
84.2%127,126
Vanessa WilliamsRepublican
14.6%22,086
Harley TylerIndependent
0.8%1,192
Toni M. JacksonIndependent
0.4%656
151,060 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.
Donald PayneVanessa Williams
$388.3K
Raised by the campaign
$20.9K
$404K
Spent by the campaign
$20.9K
$287.5K
Cash on hand
$30
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
Donald Payne (D)Vanessa Williams (R)
Also on the ballot: Harley Tyler (Independent), 0.8%; Toni M. Jackson (Independent), 0.4%