1996Final results
1996 election for Texas's 2nd District
U.S. House · Texas
James Turner (D) won with 52.2% of the vote, defeating Brian Babin (R) by 6.6 points.
James TurnerDemocrat · winner
52.2%102,908
Brian BabinRepublican
45.6%89,838
Henry McCulloughIndependent
1.2%2,390
David ConstantLibertarian
0.6%1,240
Gary HardyNatural Law
0.3%595
196,971 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.
James TurnerBrian Babin
$933.9K
Raised by the campaign
$594.8K
$919.4K
Spent by the campaign
$595.4K
$14.5K
Cash on hand
$379
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
James Turner (D)Brian Babin (R)
Also on the ballot: Henry McCullough (Independent), 1.2%; David Constant (Libertarian), 0.6%; Gary Hardy (Natural Law), 0.3%