1996Final results
1996 election for U.S. Senate in New Hampshire
U.S. Senate · New Hampshire
Robert Smith (R) won with 49.3% of the vote, defeating Richard Swett (D) by 3.0 points.
Robert SmithRepublican · winner
49.3%242,257
Richard SwettDemocrat
46.2%227,355
Ken BlevensLibertarian
4.5%22,261
491,873 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.
Richard SwettRobert Smith
$1.8M
Raised by the campaign
$1.7M
$1.6M
Spent by the campaign
$1.7M
$198.5K
Cash on hand
$190.3K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996