1996Final results
1996 election for Washington's 3rd District
U.S. House · Washington
Linda Smith (R) won with 50.2% of the vote, defeating Brian Baird (D) by 0.4 points.
Linda SmithRepublican · winner
50.2%123,117
Brian BairdDemocrat
49.8%122,230
245,347 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.
Brian BairdLinda Smith
$719.8K
Raised by the campaign
$1.4M
$718.3K
Spent by the campaign
$1.5M
$1.6K
Cash on hand
$13.8K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996