1996Final results
1996 election for New Jersey's 13th District
U.S. House · New Jersey
Robert Menendez (D) won with 78.8% of the vote, defeating Carlos E. Munoz (R) by 61.5 points.
Robert MenendezDemocrat · winner
78.8%115,459
Carlos E. MunozRepublican
17.4%25,427
Herbert H. ShawIndependent
1.5%2,136
Mike BuoncristianoIndependent
1.4%2,094
William P. EstradaIndependent
0.5%720
Rupert RavensIndependent
0.4%637
146,473 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.
Robert MenendezCarlos E. Munoz
$908.5K
Raised by the campaign
$0
$379.5K
Spent by the campaign
$0
$690.7K
Cash on hand
$25
Other candidates' campaigns: Mike Buoncristiano $18.8K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996; FEC, through Dec 2, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
Robert Menendez (D)Carlos E. Munoz (R)
Also on the ballot: Herbert H. Shaw (Independent), 1.5%; Mike Buoncristiano (Independent), 1.4%; William P. Estrada (Independent), 0.5%; Rupert Ravens (Independent), 0.4%