| Election Name: | 1996 United States Senate election in Iowa |
| Country: | Iowa |
| Flag Image: | Flag of Iowa (xrmap collection).svg |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1990 United States Senate election in Iowa |
| Previous Year: | 1990 |
| Next Election: | 2002 United States Senate election in Iowa |
| Next Year: | 2002 |
| Election Date: | November 5, 1996 |
| Image1: | File:Tom Harkin portrait (cropped).jpg |
| Nominee1: | Tom Harkin |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 634,166 |
| Percentage1: | 51.81% |
| Nominee2: | Jim Ross Lightfoot |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 571,807 |
| Percentage2: | 46.71% |
| Map Size: | 240px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Tom Harkin |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Tom Harkin |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 1996 United States Senate election in Iowa was held on November 5, 1996. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Tom Harkin sought re-election to a third term in office, and he was challenged by U.S. Congressman Jim Ross Lightfoot from Iowa's 3rd congressional district. Lightfoot had won the Republican primary against two opponents, while Harkin had won his primary uncontested, so both moved on to the general election, where they engaged in a toughly fought campaign. Ultimately, Harkin was successful in his bid and defeated Lightfoot, albeit by the narrowest margin of his career.