1996Final results
1996 election for U.S. Senate in Montana
U.S. Senate · Montana
Max Baucus (D) won with 49.6% of the vote, defeating Dennis Rehberg (R) by 4.9 points.
Max BaucusDemocrat · winner
49.6%201,935
Dennis RehbergRepublican
44.7%182,111
Becky ShawReform
4.7%19,276
Stephen HeatonNatural Law
1.0%4,168
407,490 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.
Max BaucusDennis Rehberg
$3.4M
Raised by the campaign
$1.4M
$3.7M
Spent by the campaign
$1.4M
$42.9K
Cash on hand
$11.4K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
Max Baucus (D)Dennis Rehberg (R)
Also on the ballot: Becky Shaw (Reform), 4.7%; Stephen Heaton (Natural Law), 1.0%