1998Final results
1998 election for Michigan's 5th District
U.S. House · Michigan
James Barcia (D) won with 71.2% of the vote, defeating Donald W. Brewster (R) by 44.1 points.
James BarciaDemocrat · winner
71.2%135,254
Donald W. BrewsterRepublican
27.1%51,442
Clint FosterLibertarian
1.1%2,179
Brian D. EllisonNatural Law
0.6%1,096
189,971 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 1998
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.
James BarciaDonald W. Brewster
$248.5K
Raised by the campaign
$7.7K
$183.6K
Spent by the campaign
$7.2K
$131.7K
Cash on hand
$233
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1998; FEC, through Jan 31, 1999.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1998
The candidates
James Barcia (D)Donald W. Brewster (R)
Also on the ballot: Clint Foster (Libertarian), 1.1%; Brian D. Ellison (Natural Law), 0.6%