The 1850–51 United States House of Representatives elections were held on various dates in various states between August 5, 1850, and November 4, 1851. Each state set its own date for its elections to the House of Representatives before the first session of the 32nd United States Congress convened on December 1, 1851. Elections were held for all 233 seats, representing 31 states.
The Democrats gained 17 seats, increasing their majority relative to the rival Whigs, who lost 22 seats. Incumbent Whig President Millard Fillmore, who succeeded to the Presidency in July 1850 after the death of more charismatic General Zachary Taylor, lacked a strong political base. The Compromise of 1850, which admitted California alone as a free state in exchange for concessions to slave state interests, began integration of the Mexican Cession. It appeared in the short term that Congress had politically feasible options to contain sectionalism and to reduce tensions over expanding slavery in the West. This optimism soon would prove unfounded.
The Union Party, formed in support of the Compromise of 1850, won 15 seats in the South, while the anti-Compromise Southern Rights Party won 8. The Free Soil Party, which opposed the expansion of slavery into the Western territories, lost five seats and was reduced to four Representatives, all in New England.
Election summaries
One district in Massachusetts had been vacant in the 31st Congress. No new seats were added.
The previous election had 1 Know-Nothing and 1 Independent.
Special elections
31st Congress
- Iowa's 1st congressional district: 1850
- New Hampshire's 3rd congressional district: 1850
- Ohio's 6th congressional district: 1851
- Louisiana's 3rd congressional district: 1850
- Massachusetts's 1st congressional district: 1850
32nd Congress
Alabama
Elections were held August 4, 1851, after the March 4, 1851 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1851.
Arkansas
The election was held August 4, 1851, after the March 4, 1851 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1851.
California
California's members were elected late, at-large statewide, September 3, 1851. There were nevertheless seated with the rest of the House at the beginning of the first session.
Connecticut
Elections were held April 7, 1851, after the March 4, 1851 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1851.
Delaware
The election was held November 12, 1850.
Florida
The election was held October 7, 1850.
Georgia
Elections were held October 6, 1851.
Illinois
Elections were held November 5, 1850.
Indiana
Elections were held August 4, 1851, after the March 4, 1851 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1851.
Iowa
Elections were held August 5, 1850.
Kentucky
Elections were held August 4, 1851, after the March 4, 1851 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1851.
Louisiana
Elections were held November 4, 1851, after the March 4, 1851 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1851.
Maine
Elections were held September 9, 1850.
Maryland
Elections were held October 1, 1851 elections were after the March 4, 1851 beginning of the new term, but still before the Congress convened in December 1851.
Massachusetts
Elections were held November 11, 1850, but at least one district's elections went to multiple ballots into 1851.
Michigan
Elections were held November 5, 1850.
Minnesota Territory
See Non-voting delegates, below.
Mississippi
Elections were held November 3–4, 1851, after the March 4, 1851 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1851.
Missouri
Elections were held August 5, 1850.
New Hampshire
Elections were held March 11, 1851, after the March 4, 1851 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1851.
New Jersey
Elections were held November 5, 1850.
New Mexico Territory
See Non-voting delegates, below.
New York
Elections were held November 5, 1850.
North Carolina
Elections were held August 7, 1851, after the March 4, 1851 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1851.
Ohio
Elections were held October 8, 1850.
Oregon Territory
See Non-voting delegates, below.
Pennsylvania
Elections were held October 8, 1850.
Rhode Island
Elections were held April 2, 1851, after the March 4, 1851 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1851.
South Carolina
Elections were held October 14–15, 1850.
Tennessee
Elections were held August 7, 1851, after the March 4, 1851 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1851.
Texas
Elections were held August 4, 1851, after the March 4, 1851 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1851.
Utah Territory
See Non-voting delegates, below.
Vermont
Elections were held September 3, 1850.
Virginia
Elections were held October 23, 1851, after the March 4, 1851 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1851.
Wisconsin
Elections were held November 5, 1850.
Non-voting delegates
See also
- 1850 United States elections
- List of United States House of Representatives elections (1824–1854)
- 1850–51 United States Senate elections
- 31st United States Congress
- 32nd United States Congress
Notes
References
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)
