1902–03 United States Senate elections

The 1902–03 United States Senate elections were held on various dates in various states. As these U.S. Senate elections were prior to the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913, senators were chosen by state legislatures. Senators were elected over a wide range of time throughout 1902 and 1903, and a seat may have been filled months late or remained vacant due to legislative deadlock.[1] In these elections, terms were up for the senators in Class 3.

1902–03 United States Senate elections
January 15, 1902 – April 22, 1903
30 of the 90 seats in the U.S. Senate
46 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader William B. Allison[lower-alpha 1] James K. Jones[lower-alpha 2]
(retired)
Party Republican Democratic
Leader since March 4, 1897 March 4, 1899
Leader's seat Iowa Arkansas
Seats before 55 29
Seats after 57 33
Seat change Increase 2 Increase 4
Seats up 18 8
Races won 18 11
  Third party Fourth party
 
Party Silver Republican Populist
Seats before 2 2
Seats after 0 0
Seat change Decrease 2 Decrease 2
Seats up 2 2
Races won 0 0
Results of the elections:
     Democratic gain      Democratic hold
     Republican gain      Republican hold
Majority conference chairman before election

William B. Allison
Republican

 Elected Majority conference chairman

William B. Allison
Republican

The Democratic Party gained four seats, but the Republicans kept their strong majority. This election marked the end of the two third parties, the Populists and Silver Republicans. Republicans took both Populist seats (Idaho and Kansas) along with one Silver Republican seat in Washington. Democrats took the other Silver Republican seat in Colorado as incumbent Senator Henry Teller was re-elected as a Democrat and flipped four Republican seats in Maryland, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Nevada. Republicans flipped only one Democratic seat (Utah), but also gained both vacant Delaware seats, which had been empty due to legislative deadlock in 1898 and 1900, respectively.

Besides the double-barrel special elections in Delaware, a special election was held in Michigan.

In Florida, the legislature failed to elect until shortly after the beginning of the 58th Congress on March 4.

Results summary

Senate party division, 58th Congress (1903–1905)

  • Majority party: Republican (57)
  • Minority party: Democratic (33)
  • Vacant (0)
  • Total seats: 90

Change in composition

Before the elections

After the January 29, 1902, special election in New Jersey.

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5
D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10 D9 D8 D7 D6
D16 D17 D18 D19 D20 D21 D22
Ala.
Ran		 D23
Ark.
Ran		 D24
Fla.
Ran		 D25
Ga.
Ran
SR1
Colo.
Ran		 SR2
Wash.
Ran		 P1
Kan.
Ran		 P2
Idaho
Retired		 V2
Del. (sp cl.2)		 V1
Del. (sp cl.1)		 D29
Utah
Ran		 D28
S.C.
Retired		 D27
Mo.
Retired		 D26
La.
Ran
R55
Wisc.
Ran		 R54
Vt.
Ran		 R53
S.D.
Ran		 R52
Pa.
Ran		 R51
Ore.
Retired		 R50
Ohio
Ran		 R49
N.D.
Ran		 R48
N.C.
Ran		 R47
N.Y.
Ran		 R46
N.H.
Ran
Majority →
R36 R37 R38
Calif.
Ran		 R39
Conn.
Ran		 R40
Ind.
Ran		 R41
Ill.
Retired		 R42
Iowa
Ran		 R43
Ky.
Retired		 R44
Md.
Retired		 R45
Nev.
Retired
R35 R34 R33 R32 R31 R30 R29 R28 R27 R26
R16 R17 R18 R19 R20 R21 R22 R23 R24 R25
R15 R14 R13 R12 R11 R10 R9 R8 R7 R6
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5

Result of the elections
D1 D2 D3 D4 D5
D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10 D9 D8 D7 D6
D16 D17 D18 D19 D20 D21 D22
Ala.
Re-elected		 D23
Ark.
Hold		 D24
Colo.
Gain		 D25
Ga.
Re-elected
R56
Wash.
Gain		 R57
Wisc.
Re-elected		 V3
Fla.
D Loss		 D32
S.C.
Hold		 D31
N.C.
Gain		 D30
Nev.
Gain		 D29
Mo.
Hold		 D28
Md.
Gain		 D27
La.
Re-elected		 D26
Ky.
Gain
R55
Vt.
Re-elected		 R54
Utah
Gain		 R53
S.D.
Elected[lower-alpha 3]		 R52
Pa.
Re-elected		 R51
Ore.
Hold		 R50
Ohio
Re-elected		 R49
N.D.
Re-elected		 R48
N.Y.
Re-elected		 R47
N.H.
Re-elected		 R46
Kan.
Gain
Majority →
R36 R37 R38
Calif.
Re-elected		 R39
Conn.
Re-elected		 R40
Del. (sp cl.1)
Elected		 R41
Del. (sp cl.2)
Elected		 R42
Idaho
Gain		 R43
Ill.
Hold		 R44
Ind.
Re-elected		 R45
Iowa
Re-elected
R35 R34 R33 R32 R31 R30 R29 R28 R27 R26
R16 R17 R18 R19 R20 R21 R22 R23 R24 R25
R15 R14 R13 R12 R11 R10 R9 R8 R7 R6
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5

Beginning of the next Congress
D1 D2 D3 D4 D5
D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10 D9 D8 D7 D6
D16 D17 D18 D19 D20 D21 D22 D23 D24 D25
R56 R57 D33
Fla.
Appointed		 D32 D31 D30 D29 D28 D27 D26
R55 R54 R53 R52 R51 R50 R49 R48 R47 R46
Majority →
R36 R37 R38 R39 R40 R41 R42 R43 R44 R45
R35 R34 R33 R32 R31 R30 R29 R28 R27 R26
R16 R17 R18 R19 R20 R21 R22 R23 R24 R25
R15 R14 R13 R12 R11 R10 R9 R8 R7 R6
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5
Key:
D# Democratic
P# Populist
R# Republican
SR# Silver Republican
V# Vacant

Race summaries

Elections during the 57th Congress

In these elections, the winners were elected and seated during 1902 or in 1903 before March 4.

Elections ordered by date, then state.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Iowa
(Class 2)		 Jonathan P. Dolliver Republican 1900 (Appointed)
1901 (Appointed)		 Interim appointee elected January 22, 1902.[2]
New Jersey
(Class 2)		 William Sewell Republican 1895
1901		 Incumbent died December 27, 1901.
New senator elected January 28, 1902.
Republican hold.
Michigan
(Class 2)		 Russell A. Alger Republican 1902 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected January 20, 1903.[4]
South Dakota
(Class 3)		 Alfred B. Kittredge Republican 1901 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected January 21, 1903.[5]
Winner was also elected to the next term, see below.
Delaware
(Class 1)		 Vacant Legislature had failed to elect.
New senator elected March 2, 1903.
Republican gain.
Delaware
(Class 2)		 Vacant Legislature had failed to elect.
New senator elected March 2, 1903.
Republican gain.

Races leading to the 58th Congress

In these regular elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1903; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 3 seats.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral
history
Alabama Edmund Pettus Democratic 1897 Incumbent re-elected January 26, 1903.[7]
Arkansas James K. Jones Democratic 1885
1891
1897		 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator re-elected January 20, 1903.[4]
Democratic hold.
California George Perkins Republican 1895 (special)
1897		 Incumbent re-elected January 13, 1903.[8]
Colorado Henry M. Teller Silver Republican 1885
1891
1897		 Incumbent re-elected January 24, 1903, as a Democrat.[9]
Democratic gain.
Connecticut Orville H. Platt Republican 1879
1885
1891
1897		 Incumbent re-elected January 20, 1903.[4]
Florida Stephen R. Mallory II Democratic 1897 Legislature failed to elect.
Democratic loss.
Incumbent was later appointed to begin the term.
Incumbent was subsequently re-elected, see below.		 None.
Georgia Alexander S. Clay Democratic 1896 Incumbent re-elected November 4, 1902.[10]
Idaho Henry Heitfeld Populist 1897 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected January 13, 1903.[11]
Republican gain.
Illinois William E. Mason Republican 1897 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected January 20, 1903.[4]
Republican hold.
Indiana Charles W. Fairbanks Republican 1897 Incumbent re-elected January 20, 1903.[4]
Iowa William B. Allison Republican 1872
1878
1884
1890
1896		 Incumbent re-elected January 22, 1902.[2]
Kansas William A. Harris Populist 1897 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected January 28, 1903.[13]
Republican gain.
Kentucky William J. Deboe Republican 1897 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected January 15, 1902.[14]
Democratic gain.
Louisiana Samuel D. McEnery Democratic 1896 Incumbent re-elected early May 22, 1900.[15]
Maryland George L. Wellington Republican 1886 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected January 15, 1902.[16]
Democratic gain.
Missouri George G. Vest Democratic 1879
1885
1891
1897		 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected January 20, 1903.[17]
Democratic hold.
Nevada John P. Jones Republican 1873
1879
1885
1891
1897		 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected January 27, 1903.[18]
Democratic gain.
New Hampshire Jacob Gallinger Republican 1891
1897		 Incumbent re-elected in 1903.
New York Thomas C. Platt Republican 1881
1881 (Resigned)
1897		 Incumbent re-elected January 20, 1903.
North Carolina Jeter Pritchard Republican 1894 (special)
1897		 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected in 1903.
Democratic gain.
North Dakota Henry C. Hansbrough Republican 1891
1897		 Incumbent re-elected January 20, 1903.[4]
Ohio Joseph B. Foraker Republican 1896 Incumbent re-elected January 15, 1902.[19]
Oregon Joseph Simon Republican 1898 (special) Incumbent retired.
New senator elected February 21, 1903.[20]
Republican hold.
Pennsylvania Boies Penrose Republican 1897 Incumbent re-elected January 20, 1903.[4]
South Carolina John L. McLaurin Democratic 1897 (Appointed)
1898 (special)		 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected January 27, 1903.[21]
Democratic hold.
South Dakota Alfred B. Kittredge Republican 1901 (Appointed)
1903 (special)		 Interim appointee elected January 21, 1903.[22]
New senator was also elected to finish the current term, see above.
Utah Joseph Rawlins Democratic 1897 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected January 20, 1903.[23]
Republican gain.
Vermont William P. Dillingham Republican 1900 (special) Incumbent re-elected October 14, 1902.[24]
Washington George Turner Silver Republican 1897 Incumbent lost re-election as a Democrat.
New senator elected January 29, 1903.[25]
Republican gain.
Wisconsin John C. Spooner Republican 1885
1891 (Lost)
1897		 Incumbent re-elected January 27, 1903.[26]

Election during the 58th Congress

In this election, the winner was elected in 1903 after March 4.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Florida
(Class 3)		 Stephen R. Mallory II Democratic 1897
1903 (Appointed)		 Interim appointee re-elected April 22, 1903.

Alabama
See also: List of United States senators from Alabama

Arkansas
See also: List of United States senators from Arkansas

California
See also: List of United States senators from California

Colorado
See also: List of United States senators from Colorado

Connecticut
See also: List of United States senators from Connecticut

Delaware
See also: List of United States senators from Delaware

Delaware (special, class 1)
Senator L. Heisler Ball

In the 1898/1899 elections, the Delaware legislature had failed to elect a successor to Democratic senator George Gray.

Four years later, Republican congressman L. Heisler Ball was elected in 1903 to finish the term.

He would lose re-election at the 1905 end of the term due to yet another deadlock in the state legislature.

After the advent of popular elections, Ball would return in 1919 for a single full term.

Delaware (special, class 2)
Senator J. Frank Allee

In the 1900/1901 elections, the Delaware legislature had failed to elect a successor to Democratic senator Richard R. Kenney.

Two years later, Republican state senator J. Frank Allee was elected in 1903 to finish the term.

Allee would retire at the end of the term in 1907.

Florida
Senator Stephen Mallory II
See also: List of United States senators from Florida

The Florida legislature failed to elect a senator by the March 4, 1903, beginning of the term. One-term incumbent Democrat Stephen Mallory II was therefore appointed to begin the term, pending the late election.

Democratic incumbent Stephen Mallory II was elected late April 22, 1903, to finish the term.

Georgia
See also: List of United States senators from Georgia

Idaho
See also: List of United States senators from Idaho

Illinois
See also: List of United States senators from Illinois

Indiana
See also: List of United States senators from Indiana

Iowa
See also: List of United States senators from Iowa and 1902 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa

There were two elections due to the death of John H. Gear in 1900.

Iowa (regular)
Senator William B. Allison

Five-term William B. Allison was re-elected to a sixth term January 22, 1902. He was Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, effectively the leader of the Senate.

Iowa (special)
Senator Jonathan P. Dolliver

First-term Republican John H. Gear had died July 14, 1900, and Republican Jonathan P. Dolliver had been appointed August 22, 1900, to finish the term ending in 1901 and to the term beginning thereafter, pending a special election.

Dolliver was elected January 22, 1902, to finish the term that would end in 1907.

Kansas
See also: List of United States senators from Kansas

Kentucky
See also: List of United States senators from Kentucky

Louisiana
See also: List of United States senators from Louisiana

Maryland
1902 United States Senate election in Maryland
November 4, 1902
80 members of the Maryland General Assembly
 
Candidate Arthur Pue Gorman
Party Democratic
Legislative vote -
Percentage -%

Arthur Pue Gorman was elected by an unknown margin, for the Class 3 seat.[27]

Michigan (special)
See also: List of United States senators from Michigan

Missouri
See also: List of United States senators from Missouri

Nevada
See also: List of United States senators from Nevada

New Hampshire
See also: List of United States senators from New Hampshire

New Jersey (special)
See also: List of United States senators from New Jersey

New York
Main article: 1903 United States Senate election in New York

The election in New York was held on January 20, 1903, by the New York State Legislature.

Republican Thomas C. Platt had previously been re-elected to this seat in 1897, and his term would expire on March 3, 1903.

At the State election in November 1902, 28 Republicans and 22 Democrats were elected for a two-year term (1903-1904) in the State Senate; and 89 Republicans and 61 Democrats were elected for the session of 1903 to the Assembly. State Senator Patrick F. Trainor who had been re-elected, died on December 25, 1902, and his successor Peter J. Dooling was elected only after the senatorial election, on January 27.[28] The 126th New York State Legislature met from January 6 to April 23, 1903, at Albany, New York.

The Republican caucus met on January 19. 25 State senators and 84 assemblymen attended, and State Senator William W. Armstrong presided. The caucus re-nominated the incumbent U.S. Senator Thomas C. Platt almost unanimously. A single vote was cast for U.S. Secretary of War Elihu Root by Assemblyman William A. Denison, of Jefferson County. Besides Denison voting against Platt, a small number of anti-Platt men did not attend the caucus. Boss Platt had forced the nomination of Attorney General John C. Davies to the New York Supreme Court in the 5th District, against the local Republican organization's wishes who accused Davies of incompetence. Davies was defeated in a landslide by Democrat Watson M. Rogers although the 5th District was heavily Republican. Thus boss Platt's power began to wane.

1903 Republican caucus for United States Senator result
Candidate First ballot
√ Thomas C. Platt 108
Elihu Root 1

The Democratic caucus met also on January 19. All 62 State legislators attended, and Assemblyman Charles W. Hinson, of Erie County, presided. They nominated John B. Stanchfield unanimously. Stanchfield had been Mayor of Elmira, and was defeated when running for Governor of New York in 1900 by Republican Benjamin B. Odell Jr.

Thomas C. Platt was the choice of both the Assembly and the State Senate, and was declared elected. Three Republican anti-Platt men, State senators Edgar T. Brackett (28th D.), Elon R. Brown and Nathaniel A. Elsberg (15th D.), voted for Elihu Root.

1903 United States Senator election result
House Republican Democratic Republican
State Senate
(50 members)		 √ Thomas C. Platt 25 John B. Stanchfield 21 Elihu Root 3
State Assembly
(150 members)		 √ Thomas C. Platt 86 John B. Stanchfield 57

Note: The votes were cast on January 20, but both Houses met in a joint session on January 21 to compare nominations, and declare the result.

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

North Dakota
See also: List of United States senators from North Dakota

Ohio
See also: List of United States senators from Ohio

Oregon
See also: List of United States senators from Oregon

Pennsylvania
Main article: 1903 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania

The election in Pennsylvania was held on January 20, 1903. Boies Penrose was re-elected by the Pennsylvania General Assembly[29]

The Pennsylvania General Assembly, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, convened on January 20, 1903. Incumbent Republican Boies Penrose, who was elected in 1897, was a successful candidate for re-election to another term. The results of the vote of both houses combined are as follows:

State Legislature Results[29]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Boies Penrose (Incumbent) 194 76.38
Democratic James M. Guffey 52 20.47%
Republican Walter F. Leadom 1 0.39%
N/A Not voting 7 2.76%
Totals 254 100.00%

South Carolina
Main article: 1903 United States Senate election in South Carolina
See also: List of United States senators from South Carolina

South Dakota
Senator Alfred Kittredge
See also: List of United States senators from South Dakota

Two-term Republican James H. Kyle died July 1, 1901, and Republican Alfred Kittredge was appointed July 11, 1901, to continue the term, pending a special election.

South Dakota (special)

Republican Alfred Kittredge was elected January 20, 1903, to finish the term.

South Dakota (regular)

Republican Alfred Kittredge was elected January 21, 1903, to the next the term.

Utah
See also: List of United States senators from Utah

Vermont
See also: List of United States senators from Vermont

Washington
See also: List of United States senators from Washington

Wisconsin
See also: List of United States senators from Wisconsin

See also

Notes
  1. as Republican Conference Chairman
  2. as Democratic Conference Chairman
  3. Appointee elected

References
  1. "17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Direct Election of U.S. Senators (1913)". National Archives and Records Administration. February 8, 2022.
  2. Clark, p. 247.
  3. "J.F. DRYDEN ELECTED SENATOR". The New York Times. January 29, 1902. p. 3.
  4. "United States senators elected". The New York Times. January 21, 1903. p. 3.
  5. "Journal of the Senate of the South Dakota Legislature Commencing January 6, 1903, Eighth Session". Proceedings of the Senate. Pierre, South Dakota: 296. 1903.
  6. Bailey, Dana R. (1899). History of Minnehaha county, South Dakota. Sioux Falls: Brown & Saenger, ptrs. p. 462. OCLC 5862932. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  7. "Senator Pettus Re-elected". The New York Times. January 27, 1903. p. 3.
  8. "Perkins of California Re-elected". The New York Times. January 14, 1903. p. 12.
  9. "TELLER IS AGAIN ELECTED". The New York Times. January 25, 1903. p. 1.
  10. "Senator Clay of Georgia Re-elected". The New York Times. November 5, 1902. p. 2.
  11. "Idaho Elects Her Senator". The New York Times. January 14, 1903. p. 3.
  12. Senate, Indiana. General Assembly (1903). Journal of the Indiana State Senate During the Sixty-Third Session of the General Assembly commencing Thursday, January 9, 1903. Indianapolis, Indiana. p. 198.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  13. Proceedings of the House of Representatives of the State of Kansas. Thirteenth Biennial Session, Topeka, January 13 to March 13, 1903. Topeka, Kansas. 1903. pp. 303–306.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  14. "MANY VOTES TO ELECT". The New York Times. January 16, 1902. p. 3.
  15. "Louisiana senators Elected". The New York Times. May 23, 1900. p. 2.
  16. "Ratified Mr. German's Election". The New York Times. January 16, 1902. p. 3.
  17. "SUCCEEDS SENATOR VEST". The New York Times. January 21, 1903. p. 3.
  18. "Mr. Newlands Elected in Nevada". The New York Times. January 28, 1903. p. 2.
  19. "SENATOR FORAKER CHOSEN". The New York Times. January 15, 1902. p. 3.
  20. "OREGON SENATOR CHOSEN". The New York Times. February 22, 1903. p. 3.
  21. "South Carolina's Choice". The New York Times. January 28, 1903. p. 8.
  22. "Journal of the Senate of the South Dakota Legislature Commencing January 6, 1903, Eighth Session". Proceedings of the Senate. Pierre, South Dakota: 299–300. 1903.
  23. "REED SMOOT SENATOR". The New York Times. January 21, 1903. p. 3.
  24. "Senator Dillingham Re-elected". The New York Times. October 15, 1902. p. 9.
  25. "Ankeny Elected in Washington". The New York Times. January 30, 1903. p. 1.
  26. "Senator Spooner Re-elected". The New York Times. January 28, 1903. p. 8.
  27. "Our Campaigns - MD US Senate Race - Nov 04, 1902". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  28. "DOOLING ELECTED SENATOR" (PDF). The New York Times. January 28, 1903.
  29. "U.S. Senate Election - 20 January 1903" (PDF). Wilkes University. Retrieved December 22, 2013.

Further reading
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