1996 Pennsylvania State Treasurer election

1996 Pennsylvania State Treasurer election

November 5, 1996
 
Nominee Barbara Hafer Mina Baker Knoll
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 2,041,081 1,952,613
Percentage 47.94% 45.86%

Hafer:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Knoll:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

Treasurer before election

Catherine Baker Knoll
Democratic

Elected Treasurer

Barbara Hafer
Republican

The 1996 Pennsylvania State Treasurer election was held on November 5, 1996 in order to elect the Treasurer of Pennsylvania. Incumbent treasurer Catherine Baker Knoll was term-limited, leaving an open race. Knoll's daughter, Mina Baker Knoll, won the Democratic nomination but was defeated in the general election by Republican State Auditor Barbara Hafer.

The race was noted for the bitterness between the candidates. Hafer questioned Knoll's residency because she had been living in New York City and Knoll attacked Hafer's leadership as auditor general.[1] The enmity would result in Catherine Baker Knoll challenging Hafer for treasurer in 2000.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Primary results by county
  Knoll
  •   40%–50%
  •   50%–60%
  •   60%–70%
  •   70%–80%
  Orloski
  •   40%–50%
  •   50%–60%
  Kury
  •   30%–40%
  •   40%–50%
  •   50%–60%
Democratic primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mina Baker Knoll 411,617 61.67
Democratic Richard J. Orloski 137,452 20.59
Democratic Franklin Kury 118,336 17.73
Total votes 667,405 100.00

Republican primary

Barbara Hafer, incumbent Auditor General of Pennsylvania, ran unopposed in the primary.

Results

Republican primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Barbara Hafer 546,996 100.00
Total votes 546,996 100.00

General election

On election day, Republican nominee Barbara Hafer won the election by a margin of 88,468 votes against her foremost opponent, Democratic nominee Mina Baker Knoll, thereby gaining control of the office for the Republicans.

Results

Pennsylvania Auditor General election, 1996[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Barbara Hafer 2,041,081 47.94
Democratic Mina Baker Knoll 1,952,613 45.86
Reform Michael S. Klein 119,158 2.80
Constitution Dean L. Snyder 88,452 2.08
Libertarian John D. Famularo 56,602 1.33
Total votes 4,257,906 100.00

References

  1. ^ Pro, Johnna A. (January 12, 2003). "Catherine Baker Knoll is making history as first female lieutenant governor". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on February 17, 2003. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  2. ^ a b The Pennsylvania Manual. Vol. 113. Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Department of General Services. 1997. p. 7-8. ISSN 0275-8814.
  3. ^ The Pennsylvania Manual. Vol. 113. Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Department of General Services. 1997. p. 7-21. ISSN 0275-8814.