1996Final results
1996 election for Wisconsin's 5th District
U.S. House · Wisconsin
Thomas Barrett (D) won with 73.3% of the vote, defeating Paul Melotik (R) by 48.7 points.
Thomas BarrettDemocrat · winner
73.3%141,179
Paul MelotikRepublican
24.6%47,384
James D. SodernaConstitution
1.9%3,696
192,569 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.
Thomas BarrettPaul Melotik
$289.9K
Raised by the campaign
$13.3K
$153.1K
Spent by the campaign
$13.3K
$203.5K
Cash on hand
$0
Other candidates' campaigns: James D. Soderna $6.1K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996; FEC, through Nov 26, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996