Wikipedia

1996 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas

The 1996 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas occurred on November 5, 1996, to elect the members of the state of Texas's delegation to the United States House of Representatives. Texas had thirty seats in the House, apportioned according to the 1990 United States census.

1996 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas
← 1994 November 5, 1996 1998 →
All 30 Texas seats to the United States House of Representatives
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Democratic Republican
Last election 19 11
Seats before 18 12
Seats won 17 13
Seat change Decrease 1 Increase 1
Popular vote 2,206,346 2,604,389
Percentage 44.8% 52.9%
Swing Increase 2.7% Decrease 2.8%

Texas underwent mid-decade redistricting as a result of the Supreme Court case Bush v. Vera. The court had ruled that districts such as District 18 and District 30 were racially gerrymandered.[1] A prior district court decision had voided the results of the primary elections in 13 districts, which the Supreme Court upheld. These districts instead conducted special elections concurrent with the general elections.[2][3]

These elections occurred simultaneously with the United States Senate elections of 1996, the United States House elections in other states, and various state and local elections.

Texas Democrats maintained their majority in Texas' congressional delegation, albeit reduced by two seats from 1994. These elections produced an unusually high level of turnover due to the retirements of several representatives.[3]

Overview

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United States House of Representatives elections in Texas, 1996[4][5][6]
Party Votes Percentage Seats before Seats after +/–
Republican 2,604,389 52.91% 11 13 +2
Democratic 2,206,346 44.82% 19 17 -2
Independent 43,570 0.89% 0 0 -
Libertarian 30,019 0.61% 0 0 -
Natural Law 29,993 0.61% 0 0 -
Constitution 7,887 0.02% 0 0 -
Totals 4,922,204 100.00% 30 30 —

District 1

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See also: Texas's 1st congressional district

Incumbent Democrat Jim Chapman opted to retire rather than run for re-election.

Texas's 1st congressional district, 1996[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Max Sandlin 102,697 51.56
Republican Ed Merritt 93,105 46.75
Natural Law Margaret Palms 3,368 1.69
Total votes 199,170 100
Democratic hold

District 2

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See also: Texas's 2nd congressional district

Incumbent Democrat Charlie Wilson opted to retire rather than run for re-election.

Texas's 2nd congressional district, 1996[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jim Turner 102,908 52.25
Republican Brian Babin 89,838 45.61
Independent Henry McCullough 2,390 1.21
Libertarian David Constant 1,240 0.63
Natural Law Gary Hardy 595 0.30
Total votes 196,971 100
Democratic hold

District 3

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See also: Texas's 3rd congressional district

Incumbent Republican Sam Johnson ran for re-election. The 3rd district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

Texas's 3rd congressional district, 1996[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sam Johnson (incumbent) 142,325 72.98
Democratic Lee Cole 47,654 24.43
Libertarian John Davis 5,045 2.59
Write-in Others 2 0.00
Total votes 195,026 100
Republican hold

District 4

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1996 Texas's 4th congressional district election
 
← 1994
1998 →
     
Nominee Ralph Hall Jerry Ray Hall
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 132,126 71,065
Percentage 63.8% 34.3%
 
County results
R. Hall:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
J. Hall:      50–60%
U.S. Representative before election

Ralph Hall
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Ralph Hall
Democratic

See also: Texas's 4th congressional district

Incumbent Democrat Ralph Hall ran for re-election.

Texas's 4th congressional district, 1996[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ralph M. Hall 132,126 63.77
Republican Jerry Ray Hall 71,065 34.30
Libertarian Steven Rothacker 3,172 1.53
Natural Law Enos Denham 814 0.39
Total votes 207,177 100
Democratic hold

District 5

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See also: Texas's 5th congressional district

Incumbent Democrat John Wiley Bryant retired to run for U.S. Senator.[7] The 5th district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

Texas's 5th congressional district, 1996[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Pete Sessions 80,196 53.07
Democratic John Pouland 70,922 46.93
Write-in Jesus Christ 1 0.00
Total votes 151,119 100.00
Republican gain from Democratic

District 6

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See also: Texas's 6th congressional district

Incumbent Republican Joe Barton ran for re-election. The 6th district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

Texas's 6th congressional district, 1996[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joe Barton (incumbent) 160,800 77.12
Independent Skeet Richardson 26,713 12.81
Libertarian Catherine Anderson 14,456 6.93
Constitution Doug Williams 6,547 3.14
Total votes 208,516 100
Republican hold

District 7

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See also: Texas's 7th congressional district

Incumbent Republican Bill Archer ran for re-election. The 7th district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

Texas's 7th congressional district, 1996[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill Archer (incumbent) 152,024 81.37
Democratic Al J.K. Siegmund 28,187 15.09
Independent Gene Hsiao 3,896 2.09
Independent Randy Sims 2,724 1.46
Total votes 186,831 100
Republican hold

District 8

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1996 Texas's 8th congressional district election
 
← 1994
1998 →
   
Candidate Kevin Brady Gene Fontenot
Party Republican Republican
First round 80,325
41.5% 		75,399
38.9%
Runoff 30,366
59.1% 		21,004
40.9%
 
Candidate CJ Newman Robert Musemeche
Party Democratic Democratic
First round 26,246
13.6% 		11,689
6.0%
Runoff Eliminated Eliminated
 
 

Brady:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Fontenot:      40–50%
U.S. Representative before election

Jack Fields
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Kevin Brady
Republican

See also: Texas's 8th congressional district

Incumbent Republican Jack Fields opted to retire rather than run for re-election.[8] The 8th district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

Texas's 8th congressional district, 1996[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kevin Brady 80,325 41.48
Republican Gene Fontenot 75,399 38.93
Democratic CJ Newman 26,246 13.55
Democratic Robert Musemeche 11,689 6.04
Total votes 193,659 100

No candidate received a majority of the vote, so a runoff was held on December 10.

Texas's 8th congressional district runoff, 1996[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kevin Brady 30,366 59.11
Republican Gene Fontenot 21,004 40.89
Total votes 51,370 100
Republican hold

District 9

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1996 Texas's 9th congressional district election
 
← 1994
1998 →
     
Candidate Nick Lampson Steve Stockman
Party Democratic Republican
First round 83,782
44.1% 		88,171
46.4%
Runoff 59,225
52.8% 		52,870
47.2%
 
Candidate Geraldine Sam
Party Democratic
First round 17,887
9.4%
Runoff Eliminated
 
 

Lampson:      50–60%
Stockman:      40–50%      60–70%
U.S. Representative before election

Steve Stockman
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Nick Lampson
Democratic

See also: Texas's 9th congressional district

Incumbent Republican Steve Stockman ran for re-election. The 9th district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

Texas's 9th congressional district, 1996[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Steve Stockman (incumbent) 88,171 46.44
Democratic Nick Lampson 83,782 44.13
Democratic Geraldine Sam 17,887 9.42
Total votes 189,840 100

No candidate received a majority of the vote, so a runoff was held on December 10. Stockman lost reelection by 5.66% to Democratic challenger Nick Lampson.

Texas's 9th congressional district runoff, 1996[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Nick Lampson 59,225 52.83
Republican Steve Stockman (incumbent) 52,870 47.17
Total votes 112,095 100.00
Democratic gain from Republican

District 10

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See also: Texas's 10th congressional district

Incumbent Democrat Lloyd Doggett ran for re-election. He won against Republican candidate Teresa Doggett, to whom he has no relation.

Texas's 10th congressional district, 1996[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lloyd Doggett (incumbent) 132,066 56.20
Republican Teresa Doggett 97,204 41.36
Libertarian Gary Johnson 3,950 1.68
Natural Law Steve Klayman 1,771 0.75
Total votes 234,991 100
Democratic hold

District 11

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See also: Texas's 11th congressional district

Incumbent Democrat Chet Edwards ran for re-election.

Texas's 11th congressional district, 1996[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Chet Edwards (incumbent) 99,990 56.83
Republican Jay Mathis 74,549 42.37
Natural Law Ken Hardin 1,396 0.79
Total votes 175,935 100
Democratic hold

District 12

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1996 Texas's 12th congressional district election
 
← 1994
1998 →
     
Nominee Kay Granger Hugh Parmer
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 98,349 69,859
Percentage 57.8% 41.0%
 
County results
Granger:      50–60%      60–70%
U.S. Representative before election

Pete Geren
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Kay Granger
Republican

See also: Texas's 12th congressional district

Incumbent Democrat Pete Geren opted to retire rather than run for re-election.[9]

Texas's 12th congressional district, 1996[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kay Granger 98,349 57.78
Democratic Hugh Parmer 69,859 41.04
Natural Law Heather Proffer 1,996 1.17
Total votes 170,204 100.00
Republican gain from Democratic

District 13

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See also: Texas's 13th congressional district

Incumbent Republican Mac Thornberry ran for re-election.

Texas's 13th congressional district, 1996[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mac Thornberry (incumbent) 116,098 66.87
Democratic Samuel Brown Silverman 56,066 32.29
Natural Law Don Harkey 1,463 0.84
Total votes 173,627 100
Republican hold

District 14

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See also: Texas's 14th congressional district

Incumbent Democrat Greg Laughlin switched his party affiliation to the Republican Party on June 26, 1995.[10] He was defeated in the Republican Primary by former U.S. Representative Ron Paul.[11]

Texas's 14th congressional district, 1996[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ron Paul 99,961 51.08
Democratic Lefty Morris 93,200 47.62
Natural Law Ed Fasanella 2,538 1.30
Total votes 195,699 100
Republican hold

District 15

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See also: Texas's 15th congressional district

Incumbent Democrat Kika de la Garza opted to retire rather than run for re-election.[12]

Texas's 15th congressional district, 1996[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ruben Hinojosa 86,347 62.30
Republican Tom Haughey 50,914 36.74
Natural Law Rob Wofford 1,333 0.96
Total votes 138,594 100
Democratic hold

District 16

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See also: Texas's 16th congressional district

Incumbent Democrat Ronald D. Coleman opted to retire rather than run for re-election.[13]

Texas's 16th congressional district, 1996[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Silvestre Reyes 90,260 70.63
Republican Rick Ledesma 35,271 27.60
Natural Law Carl Proffer 2,253 1.76
Total votes 127,784 100
Democratic hold

District 17

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1996 Texas's 17th congressional district election
 
← 1994
1998 →
     
Nominee Charles Stenholm Rudy Izzard
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 99,678 91,429
Percentage 51.7% 47.4%
 
County results
Stenholm:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Izzard:      50–60%
U.S. Representative before election

Charles Stenholm
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Charles Stenholm
Democratic

See also: Texas's 17th congressional district

Incumbent Democrat Charles Stenholm ran for re-election.

Texas's 17th congressional district, 1996[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Charles Stenholm 99,678 51.65
Republican Rudy Izzard 91,429 47.37
Natural Law Richard Caro 1,887 0.98
Total votes 192,994 100
Democratic hold

District 18

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See also: Texas's 18th congressional district

Incumbent Democrat Sheila Jackson Lee ran for re-election. The 18th district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

Texas's 18th congressional district, 1996[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sheila Jackson Lee (incumbent) 106,111 77.07
Republican Larry White 13,956 10.14
Republican Jerry Burley 7,877 5.72
Republican George Young 5,332 3.87
Democratic Mike Lamson 4,412 3.20
Total votes 137,688 100
Democratic hold

District 19

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See also: Texas's 19th congressional district

Incumbent Republican Larry Combest ran for re-election.

Texas's 19th congressional district, 1996[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Larry Combest (incumbent) 156,910 80.37
Democratic John Sawyer 38,316 19.63
Total votes 195,226 100
Republican hold

District 20

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See also: Texas's 20th congressional district

Incumbent Democrat Henry B. González ran for re-election.

Texas's 20th congressional district, 1996[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Henry B. Gonzalez (incumbent) 88,190 63.72
Republican James Walker 47,616 34.40
Libertarian Alex De Pena 2,156 1.56
Natural Law Lyndon Felps 447 0.32
Total votes 138,409 100
Democratic hold

District 21

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See also: Texas's 21st congressional district

Incumbent Republican Lamar Smith ran for re-election.

Texas's 21st congressional district, 1996[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lamar Smith (incumbent) 205,830 76.43
Democratic Gordon Wharton 60,338 22.40
Natural Law Randy Rutenbeck 3,139 1.17
Total votes 269,307 100
Republican hold

District 22

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See also: Texas's 22nd congressional district

Incumbent Republican Tom DeLay ran for re-election. The 22nd district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

Texas's 22nd congressional district, 1996[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom DeLay (incumbent) 126,056 68.11
Democratic Scott Douglas Cunningham 59,030 31.89
Total votes 185,086 100
Republican hold

District 23

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See also: Texas's 23rd congressional district

Incumbent Republican Henry Bonilla ran for re-election.

Texas's 23rd congressional district, 1996[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Henry Bonilla (incumbent) 101,332 61.85
Democratic Charles Jones 59,596 36.37
Natural Law Linda Caswell 2,911 1.78
Total votes 163,839 100
Republican hold

District 24

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See also: Texas's 24th congressional district

Incumbent Democrat Martin Frost ran for re-election. The 24th district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

Texas's 24th congressional district, 1996[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Martin Frost 77,847 55.75
Write-in Martin Frost 8 0.01
Total Martin Frost (incumbent) 77,855 55.76
Republican Ed Harrison 54,551 39.07
Democratic Marion Jacob 4,656 3.33
Independent Dale Mouton 2,574 1.84
Write-in Fred Hank 1 0.00
Total votes 139,637 100
Democratic hold

District 25

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See also: Texas's 25th congressional district

Incumbent Democrat Ken Bentsen ran for re-election. The 25th district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

Texas's 25th congressional district, 1996[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ken Bentsen (incumbent) 43,701 34.04
Republican Dolly Madison McKenna 21,898 17.06
Democratic Beverley Clark 21,699 16.90
Republican Brent Perry 16,737 13.04
Republican John Devine 9,070 7.06
Republican John Sanchez 8,984 7.00
Republican Ken Mathis 3,649 2.84
Republican RC Meinke 997 0.78
Republican Lloyd Oliver 827 0.64
Republican Dotty Quinn Collins 561 0.44
Socialist Workers Jerry Freiwirth 270 0.21
Total votes 128,393 100

No candidate received a majority of the vote, so a runoff was held on December 10.

Texas's 25th congressional district runoff, 1996[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ken Bentsen (incumbent) 29,396 57.32
Republican Dolly Madison McKenna 21,892 42.68
Total votes 51,288 100
Democratic hold

District 26

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See also: Texas's 26th congressional district

Incumbent Republican Dick Armey ran for re-election. The 26th district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

Texas's 26th congressional district, 1996[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dick Armey (incumbent) 163,708 73.63
Democratic Jerry Frankel 58,623 26.37
Write-in Others 11 0.00
Total votes 222,342 100
Republican hold

District 27

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See also: Texas's 27th congressional district

Incumbent Democrat Solomon Ortiz ran for re-election.

Texas's 27th congressional district, 1996[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Solomon Ortiz (incumbent) 97,350 64.64
Republican Joe Gardner 50,964 33.84
Natural Law Kevin Richardson 2,286 1.52
Total votes 150,600 100
Democratic hold

District 28

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See also: Texas's 28th congressional district

Incumbent Democrat Frank Tejeda ran for re-election.

Texas's 28th congressional district, 1996[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank Tejeda (incumbent) 110,148 75.37
Republican Mark Cude 34,191 23.40
Natural Law Clifford Finley 1,796 1.23
Total votes 150,600 100
Democratic hold

District 29

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See also: Texas's 29th congressional district

Incumbent Democrat Gene Green ran for re-election. The 29th district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

Texas's 29th congressional district, 1996[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gene Green (incumbent) 61,751 67.51
Republican Jack Rodriguez 28,381 31.03
Constitution Jack Klinger 1,340 1.46
Total votes 91,472 100
Democratic hold

District 30

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See also: Texas's 30th congressional district

Incumbent Democrat Eddie Bernice Johnson ran for re-election. The 30th district was among thirteen districts holding a special election on November 5, the same day as the general election. The race pitted all certified candidates against one another in each district, regardless of party.

Texas's 30th congressional district, 1996[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Eddie Bernice Johnson (incumbent) 61,723 54.59
Republican John Hendry 20,665* 18.28
Democratic James Sweatt 9,909 8.76
Democratic Marvin Crenshaw 7,765 6.87
Republican Lisa Kitterman 7,761 6.86
Independent Lisa Hembry 3,501 3.10
Independent Ada Granado 1,278 1.13
Independent Stevan Hammond 468 0.41
Write-in Eddie Bernice Johnson (misspelled) 2 0.00
Total votes 113,072 100

*Includes one write-in vote

References

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  1. ^ "Bush v. Vera, 517 U.S. 952 (1996)". Justia Law. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  2. ^ "History". redistricting.capitol.texas.gov. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Ramos, Mary G. (1997). "Texas Almanac, 1998-1999". The Portal to Texas History. p. 385. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "1996 General Election". elections.sos.state.tx.us. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "1996 November Special Election". elections.sos.state.tx.us. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d "1996 Special Runoff Election". elections.sos.state.tx.us. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  7. ^ June 1996 0, Mimi Swartz (June 1, 1996). "Truckin'". Texas Monthly. Retrieved June 21, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ "Texas Rep. Jack Fields to retire". UPI. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  9. ^ "Senate Names Pete Geren 20th Secretary of the Army". www.army.mil. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  10. ^ Cooper, Kenneth J. (June 27, 1995). "TEXAN BECOMES SECOND HOUSE DEMOCRAT IN '95 TO SWITCH TO REPUBLICANS". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  11. ^ "1996 Republican Party Primary Runoff Election". elections.sos.state.tx.us. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  12. ^ "DE LA GARZA, Eligio (Kika), II | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives". history.house.gov. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  13. ^ Ap (November 5, 1995). "Texas Democrat Retiring". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
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