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All 233[b] seats in the U.S. House of Representatives 117 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Elections to the United States House of Representatives for the 31st Congress were held at various dates in different states from August 1848 to November 1849.
These elections spanned the presidential election of 1848 and took place amid the U.S. victory over Mexico in the (1846–48) Mexican–American War. The Whigs lost their House majority as Democrats, whose support had driven the war, gained a House plurality. Among minor parties, the Free Soil Party won nine Northern seats, while the American or "Know Nothing" Party retained one.
Following the discovery of gold in January 1848, California boomed, creating immediate pressure for statehood. The Compromise of 1850, though largely crafted in the Senate, was also passed by the House, brokering its admission to the Union. Anticipating statehood, California elected two Representatives at-large on November 11, 1849, to be seated September 11, 1850.
As neither major party held a majority when Congress convened on December 3, 1849, the election of a Speaker proved contentious. The Whigs split, with Northern Whigs nominating incumbent speaker Robert C. Winthrop of Massachusetts and Southern Whigs supporting Meredith P. Gentry of Tennessee. Although Democrats primarily supported Howell Cobb of Georgia, over a dozen other candidates also garnered support. Anti-slavery Free Soilers supported David Wilmot of Pennsylvania, author of the Wilmot Proviso, calling attention to Slave Power's hold over both major parties. After nearly three weeks of heated debate, the House suspended its majority rule for the Speaker election. Cobb was elected on the 63rd ballot by plurality.[1]
Election summaries
Wisconsin was apportioned an additional seat in 1848,[2] and two more seats were added for the new state of California.[3]
113 | 11 | 108 |
Democratic | [f] | Whig |
State | Type | Date | Total seats |
Democratic | Free Soil | Whig | Other | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seats | Change | Seats | Change | Seats | Change | Seats | Change | ||||
Arkansas | At-large | August 7, 1848 | 1 | 1 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
Illinois | District | August 7, 1848 | 7 | 6 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
1 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
Iowa | District | August 7, 1848 | 2 | 2 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
Missouri | District | August 7, 1848 | 5 | 5 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
Vermont | District | September 5, 1848 | 4 | 1 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
3 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
Maine | District | September 11, 1848 | 7 | 5 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
2 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
Florida | At-large | October 2, 1848 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
1 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
Georgia | District | October 2, 1848 | 8 | 4 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
4 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
South Carolina | District | October 9–10, 1848 | 7 | 7 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
Ohio | District | October 10, 1848 | 21 | 11 | ![]() |
2 | ![]() |
8 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
Pennsylvania | District | October 10, 1848 | 24 | 9 | ![]() |
1 | ![]() |
13 | ![]() |
1[g] | ![]() |
Delaware | At-large | November 6, 1848 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
1 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
Michigan | District | November 7, 1848 (Election Day)[h] |
3 | 2 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
1 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
New Jersey | District | 5 | 1 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
4 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() | |
New York | District | 34 | 1 | ![]() |
1 | ![]() |
32 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() | |
Wisconsin | District | 3[i] | 1 | ![]() |
1 | ![]() |
1 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() | |
Massachusetts | District | November 13, 1848 | 10[j] | 0 | ![]() |
1 | ![]() |
8 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
Late elections, after the March 4, 1849 beginning of the term | |||||||||||
New Hampshire | District | March 13, 1849 | 4 | 2 | ![]() |
1 | ![]() |
1 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
Connecticut | District | April 2, 1849 | 4 | 2 | ![]() |
1 | ![]() |
1 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
Rhode Island | District | April 4, 1849 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
2 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
Virginia | District | April 26, 1849 | 15 | 13 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
2 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
Tennessee | District | August 2, 1849 | 11 | 7 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
4 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
Alabama | District | August 6, 1849 | 7 | 5 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
2 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
Indiana | District | August 6, 1849 | 10 | 8 | ![]() |
1 | ![]() |
1 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
Kentucky | District | August 6, 1849 | 10 | 4 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
6 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
Texas | District | August 6, 1849 | 2 | 2 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
North Carolina | District | August 7, 1849 | 9 | 3 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
6 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
Maryland | District | October 3, 1849 | 6 | 3 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
3 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
Louisiana | District | November 5, 1849 | 4 | 3 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
1 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
Mississippi | District | November 5–6, 1849 | 4 | 4 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
California | At-large | November 11, 1849[l] | 2 | 1 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
1[m] | ![]() |
Total[b] | 233 | 113 48.7% |
![]() |
9 3.9% |
![]() |
108 46.6% |
![]() |
2 0.9% |
![]() |
Special elections
- Massachusetts 8: 1848
- New York 27
- Ohio 6: 1849
- South Carolina 1
- Wisconsin Territory at-large: October 30, 1848
Alabama
Elections were held August 6, 1849, after the March 4, 1849 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1849.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Alabama 1 | |||||
Alabama 2 | |||||
Alabama 3 | |||||
Alabama 4 | |||||
Alabama 5 | |||||
Alabama 6 | |||||
Alabama 7 |
Arkansas
The election was held August 7, 1848.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Arkansas at-large |
California
California two at-large members were elected November 11, 1849 in anticipation of statehood and seated September 11, 1850.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
California at-large 2 seats on a general ticket |
None | New seat. New member elected. Independent gain. |
| ||
None | New seat. New member elected. Democratic gain. |
Connecticut
Elections were held April 2, 1849, after the March 4, 1849 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1849.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Connecticut 1 | |||||
Connecticut 2 | |||||
Connecticut 3 | |||||
Connecticut 4 |
Delaware
The election was held November 6, 1848.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Delaware at-large |
Florida
Florida's single at-large member was elected October 2, 1848.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Florida at-large | Edward C. Cabell | Whig | 1846 | Incumbent re-elected. |
|
Georgia
Elections were held October 2, 1848.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Georgia 1 | |||||
Georgia 2 | |||||
Georgia 3 | |||||
Georgia 4 | |||||
Georgia 5 | |||||
Georgia 6 | |||||
Georgia 7 | |||||
Georgia 8 |
Illinois
Elections were held August 7, 1848.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Illinois 1 | |||||
Illinois 2 | |||||
Illinois 3 | |||||
Illinois 4 | |||||
Illinois 5 | |||||
Illinois 6 | |||||
Illinois 7 |
Indiana
Elections were held August 10, 1849, after the March 4, 1849 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1849.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Indiana 1 | |||||
Indiana 2 | |||||
Indiana 3 | |||||
Indiana 4 | |||||
Indiana 5 | |||||
Indiana 6 | |||||
Indiana 7 | |||||
Indiana 8 | |||||
Indiana 9 | |||||
Indiana 10 |
Iowa
Elections were held August 7, 1848.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Iowa 1 | |||||
Iowa 2 |
Kentucky
Elections were held August 6, 1849, after the March 4, 1849 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1849.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Kentucky 1 | |||||
Kentucky 2 | |||||
Kentucky 3 | |||||
Kentucky 4 | |||||
Kentucky 5 | |||||
Kentucky 6 | |||||
Kentucky 7 | |||||
Kentucky 8 | |||||
Kentucky 9 | |||||
Kentucky 10 |
Louisiana
Elections were held November 5, 1849, after the March 4, 1849 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1849.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Louisiana 1 | |||||
Louisiana 2 | |||||
Louisiana 3 | |||||
Louisiana 4 |
Maine
Elections were held September 11, 1848.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Maine 1 | |||||
Maine 2 | |||||
Maine 3 | |||||
Maine 4 | |||||
Maine 5 | |||||
Maine 6 | |||||
Maine 7 |
Maryland
Elections were held October 3, 1849 elections were after the March 4, 1849 beginning of the new term, but still before the Congress convened in December 1849.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Maryland 1 | |||||
Maryland 2 | |||||
Maryland 3 | |||||
Maryland 4 | |||||
Maryland 5 | |||||
Maryland 6 |
Massachusetts
Elections were held November 13, 1848.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Massachusetts 1 | |||||
Massachusetts 2 | |||||
Massachusetts 3 | |||||
Massachusetts 4 | |||||
Massachusetts 5 | |||||
Massachusetts 6 | |||||
Massachusetts 7 | Julius Rockwell | Whig | 1844 (Late) | Incumbent re-elected. |
|
Massachusetts 8 | |||||
Massachusetts 9 | |||||
Massachusetts 10 |
Michigan
Elections were held November 7, 1848.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Michigan 1 | |||||
Michigan 2 | |||||
Michigan 3 |
Mississippi
Elections were held November 5–6, 1849, after the March 4, 1849 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1849.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Mississippi 1 | |||||
Mississippi 2 | |||||
Mississippi 3 | |||||
Mississippi 4 |
Missouri
Elections were held August 7, 1848.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Missouri 1 | |||||
Missouri 2 | |||||
Missouri 3 | |||||
Missouri 4 | |||||
Missouri 5 |
New Hampshire
Elections were held March 13, 1849, after the March 4, 1849 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1849.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
New Hampshire 1 | |||||
New Hampshire 2 | |||||
New Hampshire 3 | |||||
New Hampshire 4 |
New Jersey
Elections were held November 7, 1848.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
New Jersey 1 | |||||
New Jersey 2 | |||||
New Jersey 3 | |||||
New Jersey 4 | |||||
New Jersey 5 |
New York
Elections were held November 7, 1848.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
New York 1 | |||||
New York 2 | |||||
New York 3 | |||||
New York 4 | |||||
New York 5 | |||||
New York 6 | |||||
New York 7 | |||||
New York 8 | |||||
New York 9 | |||||
New York 10 | |||||
New York 11 | |||||
New York 12 | |||||
New York 13 | |||||
New York 14 | |||||
New York 15 | |||||
New York 16 | |||||
New York 17 | |||||
New York 18 | |||||
New York 19 | |||||
New York 20 | |||||
New York 21 | |||||
New York 22 | |||||
New York 23 | |||||
New York 24 | |||||
New York 25 | |||||
New York 26 | |||||
New York 27 | |||||
New York 28 | |||||
New York 29 | |||||
New York 30 | |||||
New York 31 | |||||
New York 32 | |||||
New York 33 | |||||
New York 34 |
North Carolina
Elections were held August 7, 1849, after the March 4, 1849 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1849.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
North Carolina 1 | |||||
North Carolina 2 | |||||
North Carolina 3 | |||||
North Carolina 4 | |||||
North Carolina 5 | |||||
North Carolina 6 | |||||
North Carolina 7 | |||||
North Carolina 8 | |||||
North Carolina 9 |
Ohio
Elections were held October 10, 1848.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Ohio 1 | |||||
Ohio 2 | |||||
Ohio 3 | |||||
Ohio 4 | |||||
Ohio 5 | |||||
Ohio 6 | |||||
Ohio 7 | |||||
Ohio 8 | |||||
Ohio 9 | |||||
Ohio 10 | |||||
Ohio 11 | |||||
Ohio 12 | |||||
Ohio 13 | |||||
Ohio 14 | |||||
Ohio 15 | |||||
Ohio 16 | |||||
Ohio 17 | |||||
Ohio 18 | |||||
Ohio 19 | |||||
Ohio 20 | |||||
Ohio 21 |
Pennsylvania
Elections were held October 10, 1848.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Pennsylvania 1 | |||||
Pennsylvania 2 | |||||
Pennsylvania 3 | |||||
Pennsylvania 4 | |||||
Pennsylvania 5 | |||||
Pennsylvania 6 | |||||
Pennsylvania 7 | |||||
Pennsylvania 8 | |||||
Pennsylvania 9 | |||||
Pennsylvania 10 | |||||
Pennsylvania 11 | |||||
Pennsylvania 12 | |||||
Pennsylvania 13 | |||||
Pennsylvania 14 | |||||
Pennsylvania 15 | |||||
Pennsylvania 16 | |||||
Pennsylvania 17 | |||||
Pennsylvania 18 | |||||
Pennsylvania 19 | |||||
Pennsylvania 20 | |||||
Pennsylvania 21 | |||||
Pennsylvania 22 | |||||
Pennsylvania 23 | |||||
Pennsylvania 24 |
Rhode Island
Elections were held April 4, 1849, after the March 4, 1849 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1849.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Rhode Island 1 | |||||
Rhode Island 2 |
South Carolina
Elections were held October 9–10, 1848.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
South Carolina 1 | |||||
South Carolina 2 | |||||
South Carolina 3 | |||||
South Carolina 4 | |||||
South Carolina 5 | |||||
South Carolina 6 | |||||
South Carolina 7 |
Tennessee
Elections were held August 2, 1849.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Tennessee 1 | |||||
Tennessee 2 | |||||
Tennessee 3 | |||||
Tennessee 4 | |||||
Tennessee 5 | |||||
Tennessee 6 | |||||
Tennessee 7 | |||||
Tennessee 8 | |||||
Tennessee 9 | |||||
Tennessee 10 | |||||
Tennessee 11 |
Texas
Elections were held August 6, 1849.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Texas 1 | |||||
Texas 2 |
Vermont
Elections were held September 5, 1848.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Vermont 1 | |||||
Vermont 2 | |||||
Vermont 3 | |||||
Vermont 4 |
Virginia
Elections were held April 26, 1849, after the March 4, 1849 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1849.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Virginia 1 | |||||
Virginia 2 | |||||
Virginia 3 | |||||
Virginia 4 | |||||
Virginia 5 | |||||
Virginia 6 | |||||
Virginia 7 | |||||
Virginia 8 | |||||
Virginia 9 | |||||
Virginia 10 | |||||
Virginia 11 | |||||
Virginia 12 | |||||
Virginia 13 | |||||
Virginia 14 | |||||
Virginia 15 |
Wisconsin
Wisconsin members were first elected in advance of its June 1848 statehood. It elected two members to finish the current term in the 30th Congress, and then it gained an elected an additional member for elections to the 31st Congress.
30th Congress
Wisconsin's two members were elected May 8, 1848.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Wisconsin 1 | New seat | New seat. New member elected May 8, 1848. Democratic gain. |
| ||
Wisconsin 2 | New seat | New seat. New member elected May 8, 1848. Democratic gain. |
|
31st Congress
Wisconsin's three members were elected November 7, 1848.
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates[7] | |
Wisconsin 1 | William Pitt Lynde | Democratic | 1848 | Incumbent lost re-election. New member elected. Free Soil gain. |
|
Wisconsin 2 | Mason C. Darling | Democratic | 1848 | Incumbent retired. New member elected. Whig gain. |
|
Wisconsin 3 | New seat | New seat. New member elected. Democratic gain. |
|
Non-voting delegates
District | Incumbent | This race | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Delegate | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates | |
Minnesota Territory | None. New territory. | New seat. New delegate elected July 7, 1849. Democratic gain. |
| ||
Oregon Territory | None. New territory. | New seat. New delegate elected in 1849. Democratic gain. |
|
See also
Notes
- ^ Excludes states admitted during the 31st Congress
- ^ a b c Includes late elections
- ^ In comparison to its precursor, the Liberty Party, in the last election cycle.
- ^ Includes two Independent Democrats.
- ^ Includes one Independent, one Independent Whig, and one Anti-Rent Whig.
- ^ There were 9 Free Soilers, 1 Know Nothing, and 1 Independent.
- ^ 1 Know Nothing
- ^ In 1845, Congress passed a law providing for a uniform date for choosing presidential electors (see: Statutes at Large, 28th Congress, 2nd Session, p. 721). Congressional elections were unaffected by this law, but the date was gradually adopted by the states for Congressional elections as well.
- ^ Increase of 1 seat.
- ^ One vacancy, in MA-04, for the duration of the 31st Congress (as no candidate received a majority of the vote after multiple elections).
- ^ Previous election had 1 Independent.
- ^ Seated September 11, 1850 after admission to the Union.
- ^ 1 Independent elected.
References
- ^ Brooks, Corey M. (2016). Liberty Power: Antislavery Third Parties and the Transformation of American Politics. University of Chicago Press. pp. 155–160. ISBN 978-0-226-30728-2. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
- ^ 9 Stat. 235
- ^ 9 Stat. 452
- ^ https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=726143
- ^ "Our Campaigns - WI District 01 Race - Mar 13, 1848". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - WI District 2 Race - Mar 13, 1848". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
- ^ "Election 1848". Potosi Republican. December 7, 1848. p. 2. Retrieved May 23, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - WI District 2 Race - Nov 07, 1848". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - WI District 3 Race - Nov 07, 1848". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
Bibliography
- Dubin, Michael J. (March 1, 1998). United States Congressional Elections, 1788-1997: The Official Results of the Elections of the 1st Through 105th Congresses. McFarland and Company. ISBN 978-0786402830.
- Martis, Kenneth C. (January 1, 1989). The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress, 1789-1989. Macmillan Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0029201701.
- Moore, John L., ed. (1994). Congressional Quarterly's Guide to U.S. Elections (Third ed.). Congressional Quarterly Inc. ISBN 978-0871879967.
- "Party Divisions of the House of Representatives* 1789–Present". Office of the Historian, House of United States House of Representatives. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
External links
- Office of the Historian (Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives)