Skip to content
RollCall logo

A History of U.S. Presidential Primaries: 1996

By Bob Benenson and CQ Politics Editor
Posted December 28, 2007 at 1:00am

When it comes to electing the president, the modern campaign era has its roots 95 years ago when North Dakota held the first presidential primary. CQ Politics looks back and charts for you, election by election, how this process grew over the last century into the long and sprawling campaigns that have become part of the political landscape. This sixth in a series covers 1996.
Part One: 1912-64
Part Two: 1968-72
Part Three: 1976-84
Part Four: 1988
Part Five: 1992
Part Seven: 2000
Part Eight: 2004

Recent Stories

Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Wash., walks up the House steps on Sept. 25 for the final votes in the Capitol before Congress’ October recess. The former chair of the Modernization Committee is in his final months as a congressman, after deciding not to run for reelection.

Even as he heads out the door, Derek Kilmer is still trying to fix Congress

The funding announced Thursday will go toward the construction of an estimated 1,000 miles of new transmission lines with 7,100 megawatts of added capacity across six states.

Energy Department plugs $1.5 billion into new grid projects

NBA star Dikembe Mutombo stands next to first lady Laura Bush during the president’s 2007 State of the Union address. Mutombo died this week at the age of 58. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Stoking division may be a winning campaign strategy, but it comes at a cost

Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., faces Democrat Will Rollins, whom he narrowly defeated two years ago.

Dean of California GOP faces a tight rematch

A video of President Donald Trump is played during a House select committee to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol attack hearing in 2022.

Special prosecutor divulges new details in Trump case filing

Capitol Ink | Polar bear empathy