1996Final results
1996 election for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts
U.S. Senate · Massachusetts
John F. Kerry (D) won with 52.2% of the vote, defeating William F. Weld (R) by 7.5 points.
John F. KerryDemocrat · winner
52.2%1,334,135
William F. WeldRepublican
44.7%1,143,120
Susan C. GallagherConservative
2.7%70,007
Robert C. StoweNatural Law
0.3%7,169
2,555,942 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.
John F. KerryWilliam F. Weld
$10.3M
Raised by the campaign
$8.1M
$11M
Spent by the campaign
$8M
$37.6K
Cash on hand
$72.3K
Other candidates' campaigns: Susan C. Gallagher $56.5K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
John F. Kerry (D)William F. Weld (R)
Also on the ballot: Susan C. Gallagher (Conservative), 2.7%; Robert C. Stowe (Natural Law), 0.3%