1996 United States Shadow Senator election in the District of Columbia

The 1996 United States Shadow Senator election in the District of Columbia took place on November 15, 1996, to elect a shadow member to the United States Senate to represent the District of Columbia. The member was only recognized by the District of Columbia and not officially sworn or seated by the United States Senate. Incumbent Shadow Senator Jesse Jackson decided not to run for reelection. Local ANC Commissioner and lawyer Paul Strauss easily won the primary against little-known Eduardo Burkhart and also won the general election.

1996 United States Shadow Senator election in the District of Columbia

November 15, 1996
Turnout	39.0%
Nominee Paul Strauss Gloria R. Corn George Pope Party Democratic Republican Umoja Popular vote 107,217 19,044 13,148 Percentage 76.0% 13.5% 9.3%
Shadow Senator before election Jesse Jackson Democratic Elected Shadow Senator Paul Strauss Democratic

Primary elections

Party primaries took place on September 10, 1996.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Paul Strauss, lawyer and ANC Commissioner
• Eduardo Burkhart

Declined

• Jesse Jackson, incumbent Shadow Senator

Results

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Paul Strauss	23,265	73.45%
	Democratic	Eduardo Burkhart	7,194	22.71%
	Write-in		1,216	3.84%
Total votes			31,675	100.00%

General election

Strauss faced Republican Gloria R. Corn, and Umoja candidate George Pope. As is usual for Democrats in the District, Strauss won in a landslide.

Candidates

• Paul Strauss (Democratic)
• Gloria R. Corn (Republican)
• George Pope (Umoja)

Results

General election results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Paul Strauss	107,217	76.01%
	Republican	Gloria R. Corn	19,044	13.50%
	Umoja	George Pope	13,148	9.32%
	Write-in		1,511	0.95%
Total votes			141,062	100.00%
	Democratic hold