1996 Senate Republican Conference leadership special election

The 1996 Senate Republican Conference leadership special election was held on June 12, 1996, to elect the leader of the Senate Republican Conference following incumbent Bob Dole's resignation the previous day to focus on his unsuccessful presidential campaign.

Senate Majority Whip Trent Lott of Mississippi won the election, defeating his colleague from the same state and Chair of the Senate Republican Conference Thad Cochran by a wide margin.

This was the last contested Senate Republican Conference leadership election until 2022.

Candidates The following candidates declared their intent to run. CandidateStateOther Senate rolesTrent LottMississippiRepublican Senate WhipThad CochranMississippiChair of the Senate Republican ConferenceVice Chair of the Senate Republican Conference

Results

CandidateVotesPercent Trent Lott44Thad Cochran8Total:52100%Source:

References