1844–45 United States House of Representatives elections

The 1844–45 United States House of Representatives elections were held on various dates in various states between July 1, 1844 and November 4, 1845. Each state set its own date for its elections to the House of Representatives. 224 elected members representing 27 states took their seats when the first session of the 29th United States Congress convened on December 1, 1845. The new state of Florida elected its first representative during this election cycle, while one vacancy in New Hampshire's delegation remained unfilled for the duration of the 29th Congress.

1844–45 United States House of Representatives elections

July 1, 1844 – November 4, 1845[lower-alpha 1]

All 228[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 3] seats in the United States House of Representatives
115 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader John Davis Samuel Finley Vinton
Party Democratic Whig
Leader's seat Indiana 6th Ohio 12th
Last election 147 seats 72 seats
Seats won 142[lower-alpha 2] 79
Seat change Decrease 5 Increase 7
Popular vote 1,276,980 1,143,305
Percentage 50.02% 44.79%
Swing Decrease 1.25% Increase 0.62%

  Third party Fourth party
 
Party Know Nothing Law and Order
Last election Pre-creation 2 seats
Seats won 6 0
Seat change Increase 6 Decrease 2
Popular vote 53,413 3,030
Percentage 2.09% 0.12%
Swing New Party Decrease 0.23%

  Fifth party
 
Party Independent
Last election 2 seats[lower-alpha 4]
Seats won 0
Seat change Decrease 2
Popular vote 31,961
Percentage 1.25%
Swing Decrease 0.81%

Results:
     Democratic hold      Democratic gain
     Whig hold      Whig gain
     Know Nothing gain

Speaker before election

John Jones
Democratic

Elected Speaker

John Davis
Democratic

The House elections spanned the 1844 presidential election, won by dark horse Democratic candidate James K. Polk, who advocated territorial expansion.

Democrats lost six seats but retained a large majority over the rival Whigs. The new American Party, based on the nativist "Know Nothing" movement characterized by opposition to immigration and anti-Catholicism, gained six seats.

Election summaries

One seat was added for the new State of Florida.[3] Texas and Iowa were admitted during this next Congress, but their initial elections were held in 1846.

142 6 79
Democratic [lower-alpha 5] Whig
State Type Date Total
seats
Democratic Know Nothing Whig
Seats Change Seats Change Seats Change
Louisiana District July 1–3, 1844 4 3 Decrease1 0 Steady 1 Increase1
Illinois District August 5, 1844 7 6 Steady 0 Steady 1 Steady
Missouri At-large August 5, 1844 5 5 Steady 0 Steady 0 Steady
Georgia District[lower-alpha 6] August 7, 1844 8 4 Decrease4 0 Steady 4 Increase4
Vermont District September 3, 1844 4 1 Steady 0 Steady 3 Steady
Maine District September 9, 1844 7 6 Increase1 0 Steady 1 Decrease1
Arkansas At-large October 8, 1844 1 1 Steady 0 Steady 0 Steady
Ohio District October 8, 1844 21 13 Increase1 0 Steady 8 Decrease1
Pennsylvania District October 8, 1844 24 12 Steady 2 Increase2 10 Decrease2
New Jersey District October 9, 1844 5 1 Decrease3 0 Steady 4 Increase3
South Carolina District October 14–15, 1844 7 7 Steady 0 Steady 0 Steady
Michigan District November 5, 1844 3 3 Steady 0 Steady 0 Steady
Massachusetts District November 11, 1844 10 0 Decrease2 0 Steady 10 Increase2
New York District November 11, 1844 34 21 Decrease3 4 Increase4 9 Decrease1
Delaware At-large November 12, 1844 1 0 Steady 0 Steady 1 Steady
Late electionsfter the March 4, 1845 beginning of term
New Hampshire At-large March 11, 1845 4[lower-alpha 3] 3 Decrease1 0 Steady 0 Steady
Rhode Island District April 2, 1845 2 0 Steady 0 Steady 2 Increase2[lower-alpha 7]
Connecticut District April 7, 1845 4 0 Decrease4 0 Steady 4 Increase4
Virginia District April 24, 1845 15 14 Increase2 0 Steady 1 Decrease2
Florida[lower-alpha 8] At-large May 26, 1845 1 1 Increase1 0 Steady 0 Steady
Alabama District August 4, 1845 7 6 Steady 0 Steady 1 Steady
Indiana District August 4, 1845 10 8 Steady 0 Steady 2 Steady
Kentucky District August 4, 1845 10 3 Decrease1 0 Steady 7 Increase2
North Carolina District August 7, 1845 9 6 Increase1 0 Steady 3 Decrease1
Tennessee District August 7, 1845 11 6 Steady 0 Steady 5 Steady
Maryland District October 1, 1845 6 4 Increase4 0 Steady 2 Decrease4
Mississippi At-large November 3–4, 1845 4 4 Steady 0 Steady 0 Steady
Total 224[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 3] 142
62.6%
Decrease6 6
2.6%
Increase6 79
34.8%
Increase6
Popular vote
Democratic
50.02%
Whig
44.79%
Know Nothing
2.09%
Law & Order
0.12%
Independent
1.25%
Others
1.73%
House seats
Democratic
61.67%
Whig
35.68%
Know Nothing
2.64%

Special elections

Alabama

Elections were held August 4, 1845, after the March 4, 1845 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1845.

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 October 8, 1844.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Arkansas at-large Edward Cross Democratic 1838 Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic hold.

Connecticut

Elections were held April 7, 1845, after the March 4, 1845 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1845.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Connecticut 1
Connecticut 2
Connecticut 3
Connecticut 4

Delaware

The election was held November 12, 1844.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Delaware at-large

Florida

The election was held May 26, 1845.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Florida at-large None (New state) New seat.
New member elected late on May 26, 1845.
Democratic gain.
Winner did not serve, having also been elected U.S. senator.

Georgia

Elections were held August 7, 1844.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Georgia 1
Georgia 2
Georgia 3 Absalom H. Chappell
Redistricted from the at-large district
Democratic 1842 Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Whig gain.
Georgia 4 Hugh A. Haralson
Redistricted from the at-large district
Democratic 1842 Incumbent re-elected.
Georgia 5 John H. Lumpkin
Redistricted from the at-large district
Democratic 1842 Incumbent re-elected.
William H. Stiles
Redistricted from the at-large district
Democratic 1842 Incumbent retired.
Democratic loss.
Georgia 6 Howell Cobb
Redistricted from the at-large district
Democratic 1842 Incumbent re-elected.
Georgia 7 Alexander H. Stephens
Redistricted from the at-large district
Whig 1843 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
Georgia 8 Edward J. Black
Redistricted from the at-large district
Democratic 1838
1840 (lost)
1841 (special)
Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Whig gain.

Illinois

Elections were held August 5, 1844.

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 4, 1845, after the March 4, 1845 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1845.

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 Territory

See Non-voting delegates, below.

Kentucky

Elections were held August 4, 1845, after the March 4, 1845 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1845.

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 July 1–3, 1844.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Louisiana 1
Louisiana 2
Louisiana 3
Louisiana 4

Maine

Elections were held September 9, 1844.

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

Late elections to the 28th Congress

Maryland elected its members to the 28th Congress on February 14, 1844, after that Congress had already convened in 1843 and long after the 1842–1843 election cycle.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Maryland 1 Isaac D. Jones Whig 1841 Unknown if incumbent retired or lost re-election.
New member elected.
Whig hold.
Maryland 2
Maryland 3
Maryland 4
Maryland 5
Maryland 6

Regular elections to the 29th Congress

Maryland's October 1, 1845 elections were after the March 4, 1845 beginning of the new term, but still before the Congress convened in December 1845.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Maryland 1 John Causin Whig 1844 Unknown if incumbent retired or lost re-election.
New member elected.
Whig hold.
Maryland 2
Maryland 3
Maryland 4
Maryland 5
Maryland 6

Massachusetts

Elections were held November 11, 1844. At least one district, however, had multiple ballots stretching into 1846.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Massachusetts 1
Massachusetts 2
Massachusetts 3
Massachusetts 4 William Parmenter Democratic 1836 Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected on the second ballot.
Whig gain.
First ballot (November 11, 1844):

Second ballot (December 23, 1844):
Massachusetts 5
Massachusetts 6
Massachusetts 7 Julius Rockwell Whig 1844 (late) Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts 8 John Quincy Adams Whig 1830 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY John Quincy Adams (Whig) 57.12%
  • Isaac H. Wright (Democratic) 37.71%
  • Appleton Howe (Liberty) 5.18%[10]
Massachusetts 9 Henry Williams Democratic 1836 Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected on the ninth ballot.
Whig gain.
First ballot (November 11, 1844):
Second ballot (December 23, 1844):
Third ballot (February 10, 1845):
Fourth ballot (April 28, 1845):
Fifth ballot (September 1, 1845):
Sixth ballot (November 10, 1845):
Seventh ballot (December 29, 1845):
Eighth ballot (February 2, 1846):
Ninth ballot (November 9, 1846):
Massachusetts 10

Michigan

Elections were held November 5, 1844.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Michigan 1 Robert McClelland Democratic 1843 Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan 2 Lucius Lyon Democratic 1843 Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic hold.
  • Green tickY John S. Chipman (Democratic) 48.0%
  • Henry W. Taylor (Whig) 45.7%
  • Edwin A. Atlee (Liberty) 6.3%[21]
Michigan 3 James B. Hunt Democratic 1843 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY James B. Hunt (Democratic) 51.3%
  • George W. Wisner (Whig) 42.9%
  • William Caulfield (Liberty) 5.8%[22]

Mississippi

Elections were held November 3–4, 1845, after the March 4, 1845 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1845.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Mississippi at-large
(4 seats)
Jacob Thompson Democratic 1839 Incumbent re-elected.
William H. Hammett Democratic 1843 Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic hold.
Robert W. Roberts Democratic 1843 Incumbent re-elected.
Tilghman Tucker Democratic 1843 Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic hold.

Missouri

Elections were held at-large on a general ticket August 5, 1844.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Missouri at-large
5 seats
(Elected on a general ticket)

New Hampshire

Elections were held at-large on a general ticket March 11, 1845, after the March 4, 1845 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1845.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
New Hampshire at-large
4 seats
Edmund Burke Democratic 1839 Incumbent retired.
New member (Moulton) elected.
Democratic hold.
(Elected on a general ticket)
First ballot (March 11, 1845):

Second ballot (August 23, 1845):

Third ballot (November 29, 1845):

Fourth ballot (March 10, 1846):
John Randall Reding Democratic 1841 Incumbent retired.
New member (Johnson) elected.
Democratic hold.
Moses Norris Jr. Democratic 1843 Incumbent re-elected.
John P. Hale Democratic 1843 No candidate elected on the fourth ballot; seat vacant.
Democratic loss.

New Jersey

Elections were held October 9, 1844.

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 11, 1844.

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, 1845, after the March 4, 1845 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1845.

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 8, 1844.

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 8, 1844.

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 2, 1845, after the March 4, 1845 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1845.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Rhode Island 1
Rhode Island 2

South Carolina

Elections were held October 14–15, 1844.

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 7, 1845.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Tennessee 1 Andrew Johnson Democratic 1842 Incumbent re-elected.
Tennessee 2 William T. Senter Whig 1842 Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Whig hold.
  • Green tickY William M. Cocke (Whig) 45.03%
  • George S. Gilbert (Democratic) 35.63%
  • Lewis Reneau (Independent Whig) 19.34%[30]
Tennessee 3 Julius W. Blackwell Democratic 1842 Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Whig gain.
Tennessee 4 Alvan Cullom Democratic 1842 Incumbent re-elected.
Tennessee 5 George W. Jones Democratic 1842 Incumbent re-elected.
Tennessee 6 Aaron V. Brown Democratic 1839 Incumbent retired to run for Governor.
New member elected.
Democratic hold.
Tennessee 7 David W. Dickinson Whig 1842 Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Whig hold.
Tennessee 8 Joseph H. Peyton Whig 1842 Incumbent re-elected.
Tennessee 9 Cave Johnson Democratic 1839 Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic hold.
Tennessee 10 John B. Ashe Whig 1842 Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic gain.
Tennessee 11 Milton Brown Whig 1841 Incumbent re-elected.

Vermont

Elections were held September 3, 1844.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Vermont 1
Vermont 2
Vermont 3
Vermont 4

Virginia

Elections were held April 24, 1845, after the March 4, 1845 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1845.

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 Territory

See Non-voting delegates, below.

Non-voting delegates

District Incumbent This race
Delegate Party First elected Results Candidates[40]
Iowa Territory at-large Augustus C. Dodge Democratic 1840 Incumbent re-elected.
Wisconsin Territory at-large Henry Dodge Democratic 1840 Incumbent retired to become territorial governor of Wisconsin.
New delegate elected on an unknown date.
Democratic hold.

See also

Notes

  1. Excludes states admitted during the 29th Congress
  2. Includes late elections
  3. There was one vacancy in New Hampshire's delegation, unfilled for the duration of the 29th Congress.[1][2]
  4. Includes one Independent and one Independent Whig.
  5. There were 6 Know Nothings.
  6. Changed from at-large
  7. Previous election had 2 members of the short-lived Law and Order Party
  8. New State

References

  1. Dubin, p. 142–143.
  2. Martis, p. 98-99.
  3. 5 Stat. 743
  4. "AR - At-Large Race - Oct 08, 1844". Our Campaigns. December 30, 2006. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  5. "Our Campaigns - GA District 03 Race - Aug 07, 1844". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  6. "Our Campaigns - GA District 08 Race - Aug 07, 1844". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  7. "Our Campaigns - MA District 4 - 1st Trial Race - Nov 11, 1844". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  8. "Our Campaigns - MA District 4 - 2nd Trial Race - Dec 23, 1844". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  9. "Our Campaigns - MA District 7 Race - Nov 11, 1844". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  10. "Our Campaigns - MA District 8 Race - Nov 11, 1844". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  11. "Our Campaigns - MA District 9 - 1st Trial Race - Nov 11, 1844". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  12. "Our Campaigns - MA District 9 - 2nd Trial Race - Dec 23, 1844". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  13. "Our Campaigns - MA District 9 - 3rd Trial Race - Feb 10, 1845". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  14. "Our Campaigns - MA District 9 - 4th Trial Race - Apr 28, 1845". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  15. "Our Campaigns - MA District 9 - 5th Trial Race - Sep 01, 1845". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  16. "Our Campaigns - MA District 9 - 6th Trial Race - Nov 10, 1845". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  17. "Our Campaigns - MA District 9 - 7th Trial Race - Dec 29, 1845". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  18. "Our Campaigns - MA District 9 - 8th Trial Race - Feb 02, 1846". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  19. "Our Campaigns - MA District 9 - 9th Trial Race - Nov 09, 1846". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  20. "MI - District 01 Race - Nov 05, 1844". Our Campaigns. January 11, 2010. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  21. "MI - District 02 Race - Nov 05, 1844". Our Campaigns. January 11, 2010. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  22. "MI - District 03 Race - Nov 05, 1844". Our Campaigns. January 11, 2010. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  23. "MS - At Large". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  24. "MO At-Large". OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved October 28, 2020., source notes Sims is Whig, which conflicts with other sources.
  25. "Our Campaigns - NH At-Large Race - Mar 11, 1845". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  26. "Our Campaigns - NH At-Large - 2nd Trial Race - Aug 23, 1845". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  27. "Our Campaigns - NH At-Large - 3rd Trial Race - Nov 29, 1845". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  28. "Our Campaigns - NH At-Large - 4th Trial Race - Mar 10, 1846". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  29. "TN - District 01". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  30. "TN - District 02". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  31. "TN - District 03". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  32. "TN - District 04". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  33. "TN - District 05". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  34. "TN - District 06". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  35. "TN - District 07". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  36. "TN - District 08". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  37. "TN - District 09". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  38. "TN - District 10". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  39. "TN - District 11". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  40. Pelzer, Louis (1908). Shambaugh, Benjamin F. (ed.). "The History and Principles of the Democratic Party of the Territory of Iowa". Iowa Journal of History and Politics. Vol. 6, no. 1. Iowa City, Iowa: State Historical Society of Iowa. p. 10. Retrieved May 27, 2020.

Bibliography

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