1856 and 1857 United States House of Representatives elections

Elections to the United States House of Representatives for the 35th Congress were held at various dates in different states from August 1856 to November 1857.

1856 and 1857 United States House of Representatives elections
August 4, 1856 – November 4, 1857[lower-alpha 1]
All 237 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives
118 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader James Orr Galusha A. Grow
Party Democratic Republican
Leader's seat South Carolina 5th Pennsylvania 14th
Last election 81 seats 45 seats[lower-alpha 2]
Seats won 132 90
Seat change 51 45
Popular vote 1,805,827 1,425,265
Percentage 46.85% 36.98%
Swing 2.90% 21.36%[lower-alpha 3]
  Third party Fourth party
 
Party Know Nothing Independent
Last election 51 seats 1 seats[lower-alpha 4]
Seats won 14 1[lower-alpha 5]
Seat change 37
Popular vote 586,254 34,120[lower-alpha 6]
Percentage 15.21% 0.89%
Swing 4.35% 1.72%
Speaker before election

Nathaniel Banks
Know Nothing

 Elected Speaker

James Orr
Democratic

The elections briefly returned a semblance of normalcy to the Democratic Party, restoring its House majority amid election of Democratic President James Buchanan. However, victory masked severe, ultimately irretrievable divisions over the slavery issue. Voters next would return a Democratic House majority only in 1874.

Party realignments continued. In 1856, the Whig Party disbanded while the Know Nothing movement declined and its vehicle, the American Party, began to collapse. Many former Northern Whig and American Party Representatives joined the Republican Party, which contended for the Presidency in 1856 and was rapidly consolidating. Though it did not yet demand abolition, its attitude toward slavery was stridently negative. Making no effort to win Southern voter support, it was openly sectional, opposed to fugitive slave laws and slavery in the territories, and for the first time offered a mainstream platform to outspoken abolitionists.

In March 1857, after almost all Northern states had voted, the Supreme Court issued its Dred Scott decision, amplifying tensions and hardening voter attitudes. Remaining elections, scheduled after the decision, were concentrated in the South. Southern voters widely drove the American Party from office, rallying to the Democrats in firm opposition to the Republicans.

In this election cycle, the new state of Minnesota elected its first Representatives, to be seated by the 35th Congress. Between the admissions of Vermont in 1791 and Wisconsin in 1848, Congress had admitted new states roughly in pairs: one slave, one free. California had been admitted alone as a free state in 1850 only as part of a comprehensive compromise that included significant concessions to slave state interests. Admission of Minnesota in May 1858, also alone but with no such deal, helped expose the declining influence of the South, extinguishing the formerly binding concept that slave and free state power in Congress was best kept in balance while reinforcing a growing sense that public opinion would exclude slavery from the West.

Election summaries

Two seats were added for the new state of Minnesota,[1] which was unrepresented for part of the 1st session.

↓
133 14 90
Democratic KN Republican
State Type Date Total
seats		 Democratic Know Nothing Republican
Seats Change Seats Change Seats Change[lower-alpha 7]
Arkansas District August 4, 1856 2 2 0 0
Iowa District August 4, 1856 2 0 1 0 2 1
Missouri District August 4, 1856 7 5[lower-alpha 5] 4 2 2 0 6
Vermont District September 2, 1856 3 0 0 3
Maine District September 8, 1856 6 0 1 0 6 1
Florida At-large October 6, 1856 1 1 0 0
South Carolina District October 13–14, 1856 6 6 0 0
Indiana District October 14, 1856 11 6 4 0 5 4
Ohio District October 14, 1856 21 9 9 0 12 9
Pennsylvania District October 14, 1856 25 15 8 0 1 10 7
California At-large November 4, 1856
(Election Day)[lower-alpha 8]		 2 2 0 0
Delaware At-large 1 1 1 0 1 0
Illinois District 9 5 0 4
Massachusetts District 11 0 0 11 11 11
Michigan District 4 0 1 0 4 1
New Jersey District 5 3 2 0 2 2
New York District 33 12 7 0 3 21 4
Wisconsin District 3 0 1 0 3 1
New Hampshire District March 10, 1857 3 0 0 3 3 3
Rhode Island District April 1, 1857 2 0 0 2 2 2
Connecticut District April 6, 1857 4 2 2 0 4 2 2
Virginia District May 28, 1857 13 13 1 0 1 0
Alabama District August 3, 1857 7 7 2 0 2 0
Kentucky District August 3, 1857 10 8 4 2 4 0
Texas District August 3, 1857 2 2 1 0 1 0
North Carolina District August 6, 1857 8 7 2 1 2 0
Tennessee District August 6, 1857 10 7 2 3 2 0
Georgia District October 5, 1857 8 6 2 0
Mississippi District October 5–6, 1857 5 5 1 0 1 0
Minnesota At-large October 13, 1857[lower-alpha 9] 2 2 2 0 0
Louisiana District November 3, 1857 4 3 1 0
Maryland District November 4, 1857 6 3 1 3 1 0
Total 236 133[lower-alpha 5]
56.1%		 50[lower-alpha 5] 14
5.9%		 37 90
38.0%		 10[lower-alpha 7]
Popular vote
Democratic
 
 46.85%
Republican
 
 36.98%
Know Nothing
 
 15.21%
Independent
 
 0.89%
Others
 
 0.07%
House seats
Democratic
 
 55.70%
Republican
 
 37.97%
Know Nothing
 
 5.91%
Independent
 
 0.42%

Special elections

There were special elections in 1856 and 1857 during the 34th United States Congress and 35th United States Congress.

34th Congress
District Incumbent This race
Member / Delegate Party First elected Results Candidates
Illinois 8
Missouri 5
Virginia 1
South Carolina 3
South Carolina 4
Illinois 7
New Mexico Territory at-large
Vermont 1
Illinois 5
Kansas Territory at-large John Wilkins Whitfield Democratic 1854 Seat declared vacant August 1, 1856.
Incumbent re-elected to finish his term.
Winner was not elected to the next term, see below.

35th Congress
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Indiana 1
Indiana 10
Pennsylvania 12
Missouri 3

Alabama
See also: List of United States Representatives from Alabama
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
See also: List of United States Representatives from Arkansas
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Arkansas 1
Arkansas 2

California
See also: List of United States Representatives from California
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
California at-large
2 seats on a general ticket		 James W. Denver Democratic 1854 Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic hold.
  • Y Charles L. Scott (Democratic) 29.9%
  • Y Joseph C. McKibbin (Democratic) 21%
  • A. B. Dibble (Know Nothing) 20.7%
  • Ira P. Rankin (Independent) 13%
  • J. N. Turner (Republican) 12.5%
Philemon T. Herbert Democratic 1854 Incumbent retired after manslaughter acquittal.
New member elected.
Democratic hold.

Connecticut
See also: List of United States Representatives from Connecticut
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Connecticut 1
Connecticut 2
Connecticut 3

Delaware
See also: List of United States Representatives from Delaware
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Delaware at-large

Florida
Main article: 1856 United States House of Representatives election in Florida
See also: List of United States Representatives from Florida
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Florida at-large Augustus Maxwell Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic hold.

Georgia
See also: List of United States Representatives from Georgia
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
See also: List of United States Representatives from Illinois
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Illinois 1
Illinois 2
Illinois 3
Illinois 4
Illinois 5
Illinois 6
Illinois 7
Illinois 8
Illinois 9

Indiana
See also: List of United States Representatives from Indiana
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
Indiana 11

Iowa
See also: List of United States Representatives from Iowa
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Iowa 1
Iowa 2

Kansas Territory

See non-voting delegates, below.

Kentucky
See also: List of United States Representatives from Kentucky
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Kentucky 1
Kentucky 2
Kentucky 3
Kentucky 4
Kentucky 5
Kentucky 6
Kentucky 7

Louisiana
See also: List of United States Representatives from Louisiana
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Louisiana 1
Louisiana 2
Louisiana 3
Louisiana 4

Maine
See also: List of United States Representatives from Maine
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Maine 1
Maine 2
Maine 3
Maine 4
Maine 5
Maine 6

Maryland
See also: List of United States Representatives from Maryland
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Maryland 1
Maryland 2
Maryland 3
Maryland 4
Maryland 5
Maryland 6

Massachusetts
See also: List of United States Representatives from Massachusetts
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Massachusetts 1
Massachusetts 2
Massachusetts 3
Massachusetts 4
Massachusetts 5
Massachusetts 6
Massachusetts 7
Massachusetts 8
Massachusetts 9
Massachusetts 10
Massachusetts 11

Michigan
See also: List of United States Representatives from Michigan
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Michigan 1
Michigan 2
Michigan 3
Michigan 4

Minnesota
See also: List of United States Representatives from Minnesota

Minnesota Territory elected three members in advance of Minnesota's 1848 statehood. "Although three men won this election, which was held before Minnesota was actually a state, only two representatives from Minnesota were allowed in the congressional bill creating the state in 1858. George L. Becker lost in the drawing of lots to decide who would present their credentials, therefore he did not serve in Congress."[3]

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Minnesota at-large
2 seats		 None. New state would be admitted May 11, 1858.
New member elected October 13, 1857.
Democratic gain.		 Elected on a general ticket:
None. New state would be admitted May 11, 1858.
New member elected October 13, 1857.
Democratic gain.

Mississippi
See also: List of United States Representatives from Mississippi
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Mississippi 1
Mississippi 2
Mississippi 3
Mississippi 4
Mississippi 5

Missouri
See also: List of United States Representatives from Missouri
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Missouri 1
Missouri 2
Missouri 3
Missouri 4
Missouri 5
Missouri 6
Missouri 7

Nebraska Territory

See non-voting delegates, below.

New Hampshire
See also: List of United States Representatives from New Hampshire
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
New Hampshire 1
New Hampshire 2
New Hampshire 3

New Jersey
See also: List of United States Representatives from New Jersey
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
See also: List of United States Representatives from New York
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

North Carolina
See also: List of United States Representatives from North Carolina
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

Ohio
See also: List of United States Representatives from Indiana
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

Oregon Territory

See non-voting delegates, below.

Pennsylvania
See also: List of United States Representatives from Pennsylvania
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
Pennsylvania 25

Rhode Island
See also: List of United States Representatives from Rhode Island
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Rhode Island 1
Rhode Island 2

South Carolina
See also: List of United States Representatives from South Carolina
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

Tennessee
See also: List of United States Representatives from Tennessee
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

Texas
See also: List of United States Representatives from Texas
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Texas 1
Texas 2

Vermont
See also: List of United States Representatives from Vermont
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Vermont 1
Vermont 2
Vermont 3

Virginia
See also: List of United States Representatives from Virginia
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

Wisconsin
See also: List of United States Representatives from Wisconsin

Election results in Wisconsin for 1856:[4]

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Wisconsin 1 Daniel Wells, Jr. Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Republican gain.
Wisconsin 2 Cadwallader C. Washburn Republican 1854 Incumbent re-elected.
Wisconsin 3 Charles Billinghurst Republican 1854 Incumbent re-elected.

Non-voting delegates
See also: Non-voting members of the United States House of Representatives
District Incumbent This race
Delegate Party First elected Results Candidates
Kansas Territory John Wilkins Whitfield Democratic 1854
1856 (Seat vacated)
1856 (Special)		 Unknown if incumbent retired or lost re-election.
New delegate elected.
Democratic hold.
Minnesota Territory Henry Mower Rice Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
New delegate elected.
Democratic hold.
District eliminated in 1858 upon Minnesota's statehood.
Nebraska Territory Bird Chapman Democratic 1854 Incumbent lost re-election.
New delegate elected August 3, 1857.[5]
Independent Democratic gain.
Oregon Territory Joseph Lane Democratic 1851 Incumbent re-elected.

See also

Notes
  1. Excludes states admitted during this Congress
  2. Number of the seats that made up the Parties involved in the Opposition Coalition, excluding the Whig Party.
  3. In comparison to the performance of the Parties involved in the Opposition Coalition, excluding the Whig Party.
  4. Included one Independent Whig: Anthony Ellmaker Roberts of Pennsylvania.
  5. Includes one Independent Democrat (a.k.a. a "Benton Democrat"): Francis Preston Blair Jr. of MO-01. Note that while Martis (p. 110) and Dubin (p. 176) list him as an "Independent Democrat" or "Benton Democrat," others sources (e.g. the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress) list Blair as a "Republican".
  6. Includes votes for those who ran labeled as an "Independent," "Benton Democrat," "Independent Democrat," or "Independent American."
  7. Compared to the 100 Opposition Party members in previous election of 1854.
  8. 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.
  9. New state. Representatives seated May 11, 1858, during the 1st session.

    References
    1. 11 Stat. 166
    2. https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=296760
    3. "Our Campaigns - MN At-Large Race - Oct 13, 1857". www.ourcampaigns.com.
    4. "Wisconsin U.S. House Election Results" (PDF). Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 5, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
    5. "Collections of the NSHS - Volume 18". www.usgennet.org.

    Bibliography
    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.