The non-voting delegate is elected for two-year terms, as are all other Representatives and Delegates minus the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, who is elected to a four-year term.
Walter E. Fauntroy, a Democrat, sought re-election for his third term to the United States House of Representatives. Fauntroy was opposed in this election by independent James G. Banks, who received 21.03% by taking many votes away from Republican challenger William R. Phillips and Statehood Party candidate Anton V. Wood who only received 8.81% and 2.92%, respectively. This resulted in Fauntroy being elected with 63.78% of the vote.