 Holt first ran for Congress in 1996 in New Jersey's 12th congressional district after incumbent Republican congressman Dick Zimmer decided to run for the U.S. Senate.On June 4, 1996, Holt lost the Democratic party primary, receiving 24% of the vote and finishing last of the three candidates.Lambertville Mayor David DelVecchio won the primary with 45% of the vote and Carl Mayer finished second with 31% of the vote.