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.
Party primaries took place on September 10, 1996.
Strauss faced Republican Gloria R. Corn, and Umoja candidate George Pope. As is usual for Democrats in the District, Strauss won in a landslide.