The 1996 United States Senate elections were held on November 5, with the 33 seats of Class 2 contested in regular elections. Special elections were also held to fill vacancies. They coincided with the presidential election of the same year, in which Democrat Bill Clinton was re-elected president. Despite the re-election of Clinton and Gore, and despite Democrats picking up a net two seats in the elections to the United States House of Representatives held the same day, the Republicans had a net gain of two seats in the Senate, following major Republican gains two years previously in the 1994 elections. As such, Clinton became the first president re-elected since Theodore Roosevelt in 1904 to win either of his terms without any Senate coattails. The Republicans won open seats previously held by Democrats in Alabama, Arkansas, and Nebraska. The only Democratic pickup occurred in South Dakota, where Democrat Tim Johnson narrowly defeated incumbent Republican Larry Pressler. The cycle featured an unusually high number of retirements, with thirteen in total. Additionally, special elections occurred as a result of early resignations by Republicans Bob Packwood and presidential nominee Bob Dole, the Senate majority leader. Results summary Does not include Oregon's January 1996 special election. Includes Kansas's special election for the Class III seat vacated by Bob Dole. Sources: Party Division in the Senate, 1789–Present, via Senate.gov Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives: Gains, losses, and holds Retirements Five Republicans and eight Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election. Defeats One Republican sought re-election but lost in the general election. One Republican also sought election to finish the unexpired term but lost in the primary. Change in composition Before the November elections After the January 1996 special election in Oregon. After the November elections Summary of contests Special elections during the 104th Congress In these special elections, the winner was seated in the fall of 1996 (excluding Oregon), once they qualified and their elections were certified. Sorted by election date, then state, then class. Elections leading to the next Congress In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1997; ordered by state. All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats. Closest races Sixteen November races, as well as the Oregon special election in January, had margins less than 10%: Alabama Incumbent Democrat Howell Heflin decided to retire. Republican and future Attorney General of the United States