1996Final results
1996 election for Virginia's 8th District
U.S. House · Virginia
James P. Moran (D) won with 66.4% of the vote, defeating John E. Otey (R) by 38.3 points.
James P. MoranDemocrat · winner
66.4%152,334
John E. OteyRepublican
28.1%64,562
R. Ward EdmondsReform
2.7%6,243
Sarina J. GrosswaldIndependent
2.3%5,239
Charles Stenard SeveranceIndependent
0.3%740
229,421 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 P. MoranJohn E. Otey
$555.3K
Raised by the campaign
$72.8K
$319.3K
Spent by the campaign
$71.3K
$362.6K
Cash on hand
$1.5K
Other candidates' campaigns: R. Ward Edmonds $17.1K · Sarina J. Grosswald $3.3K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
James P. Moran (D)John E. Otey (R)
Also on the ballot: R. Ward Edmonds (Reform), 2.7%; Sarina J. Grosswald (Independent), 2.3%; Charles Stenard Severance (Independent), 0.3%