Wikipedia

1854–55 United States House of Representatives elections

States held the 1854–55 United States House of Representatives elections between August 4, 1854, and November 6, 1855, to elect the 234 members and five non-voting delegates of the United States House of Representatives. The Democratic Party remained the largest party but lost almost half its seats, while Know Nothings and the Anti-Nebraska movement made large gains. The Whig Party largely failed to capitalize on the weakness of its major rival, signaling the collapse of the Second Party System.

1854–55 United States House of Representatives elections
← 1852 & 1853
August 4, 1854 – November 6, 1855
1856 & 1857 →
All 234 seats in the United States House of Representatives[1]
118 seats needed for a majority
  First party Second party Third party
 
Leader William A. Richardson Henry M. Fuller Nathaniel P. Banks
Party Democratic Whig Know Nothing
Leader's seat Illinois 5th Pennsylvania 12th Massachusetts 7th
Last election 157 seats, 51.67% 70 seats, 41.70% 0 seats, 0.31%
Seats won 82[a][b][c] 54 52[d]
Seat change Decrease 75 Decrease 14 Increase 52
Popular vote 1,418,553[e] 580,929 631,510
Percentage 43.95% 18.00% 19.56%
Swing Decrease 5.87 Decrease 23.61 Increase 19.25
  Fourth party Fifth party Sixth party
 
Party Anti-Nebraska Republican People's
Last election Did not contest Did not contest Did not contest
Seats won 22[f] 13 9
Seat change Increase 22 Increase 13 Increase 9
Popular vote 196,461 182,245 102,423
Percentage 6.09% 5.65% 3.17%
Swing New party New party New party
  Seventh party Eighth party
 
Party Free Soil Independent
Last election 4 seats, 3.96% 2 seats[g]
Seats won 1 1[h]
Seat change Decrease 3 Decrease 1
Popular vote 22,928 84,196[i]
Percentage 0.71% 2.61%[i]
Swing Decrease 3.28 Decrease 0.18
Results:
     Democratic gain      Whig gain
     Democratic hold      Whig hold
     Know Nothing gain      Anti-Nebraska gain      Republican gain
     People's gain      Free Soil gain      Independent gain
Speaker before election

Linn Boyd
Democratic

 Elected Speaker

Nathaniel P. Banks
Know Nothing

Controversy surrounding the Kansas-Nebraska Act and nativist opposition to Catholic immigration dominated the 1854 United States elections. Popular outrage against the Nebraska law produced new political parties in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin that included most former Whigs, Free Soilers, and Anti-Nebraska Democrats.[7] As many as one in four Northern Democrats abandoned their party, while Democrats suffered a net loss of 70 seats in the free states.[8] Northern Whigs hoped to benefit from Democratic misfortunes, but were weighed down by their own internal divisions and the rise of the Know Nothing movement in the Northeastern United States. Know Nothings swept Massachusetts and made gains in New York and Pennsylvania, where Whig candidates in some districts formed alliances with local lodges. In Iowa, Illinois, and Vermont, Whigs felt compelled to appeal to Free Soilers to shore up their sagging margins. The willingness of Northern Whigs to cooperate with Free Soilers and abolitionists, combined with the magnitude of Whig losses in the Northeast, led Southern Whigs to defect en masse to the Know Nothings in elections held in 1855.[9]

No party controlled a majority in the lower chamber when the 34th United States Congress met in December 1855, leading to a protracted struggle to organize the House. Different groupings of Whigs, Know Nothings, and Anti–Nebraska men controlled between 105 and 117 seats in the House of Representatives, short of the 118 votes needed to elect a speaker. After two months of deadlock, the rule requiring a majority to elect the speaker was suspended; Massachusetts representative Nathaniel P. Banks was elected by a coalition of free state members on the 133rd ballot. The coalition supporting Banks became the base for the Republican Party, which emerged as the main opposition to the Democrats during the 1856 United States elections.[10]

Results

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Analysis

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The elections took place over the span of 15 months, against the backdrop of a political realignment. Party arrangements had changed considerably by the time the House met in December 1855. Contemporaries and later historians advanced differing estimates of the state of parties at the beginning of the 34th Congress.[11] The Tribune Almanac for 1856 counts 79 "National Administration" Democrats, 37 proslavery Whigs and Know Nothings, 117 Anti-Nebraska men, and one vacancy at the start of the new term.[5] The representatives counted as part of the Anti-Nebraska group were elected under a variety of labels, including as Know Nothings, Whigs, and Republicans.[12] Kenneth C. Martis finds 83 Democrats, 51 Know Nothings, and 100 Opposition members in his 1989 study of political parties in the United States Congress.[4] Martis's "Opposition Party" is not a true historical political party, but an invented congressional caucus including representatives elected by several groups. Michael J. Dubin lists the representatives' parties at the time of their election, finding 82 Democrats, 52 Know Nothings, 54 Whigs, one Independent Whig, and 45 members elected by various antislavery parties.[3]

Author (Year) D KN Others V
Greeley (1856) 79 37[j] 117 A 1
McPherson (1988) 80 50 105 R 0
Martis (1989) 83 51 100 O 0
Dubin (1998) 82 52 100[k] 0

Results by state

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82 1 1 9 13 22 52 54
Democratic IW FS P Rep. Anti-Neb. Know Nothing Whig
State Type Date Total
seats		 Democratic Whig Know Nothing Anti-Nebraska[l]
Seats Change Seats Change Seats Change Seats Change
Arkansas Districts August 4, 1854 2 2 Steady 0 Steady 0 Steady 0 Steady
Iowa Districts August 7, 1854 2 1 Steady 1 Steady 0 Steady 0 Steady
Missouri Districts 7 1 Decrease 2 6 Increase 2 0 Steady 0 Steady
Vermont Districts September 5, 1854 3 0 Steady 3 Steady 0 Steady 0 Steady
California At-large September 6, 1854 2 2 Steady 0 Steady 0 Steady 0 Steady
Maine Districts September 11, 1854 6 1 Decrease 2 0 Decrease3 0 Steady 5 Increase 5
Florida At-large October 2, 1854 1 1 Steady 0 Steady 0 Steady 0 Steady
South Carolina Districts October 9–10, 1854 6 6 Steady 0 Steady 0 Steady 0 Steady
Indiana Districts October 10, 1854 11 2 Decrease 8 0 Decrease 1 0 Steady 9 Increase 9
Ohio Districts 21 0 Decrease 12 0 Decrease 7 0 Steady 21 Increase 19
Pennsylvania Districts 25 7 Decrease 10 16[m] Increase 8 1 Increase 1 1 Increase 1
Illinois Districts November 7, 1854
(Election Day)[n]		 9 4 Decrease 1 1 Decrease3 0 Steady 4 Increase 4
Michigan Districts 4 1 Decrease 3 0 Steady 0 Steady 3 Increase 3
New Jersey Districts 5 1 Decrease 3 4 Increase 3 0 Steady 0 Steady
New York Districts 33 5 Decrease 16 24 Increase 14 4 Increase 4 0 Decrease 1
Wisconsin Districts 3 1 Decrease 2 0 Steady 0 Steady 2 Increase 2
Massachusetts Districts November 12, 1854 11 0 Decrease 1 0 Decrease 9 11 Increase 11 0 Decrease 1
Delaware At-large November 14, 1854 1 0 Decrease 1 0 Steady 1 Increase 1 0 Steady
Late elections (after the March 4, 1855 beginning of the term)
New Hampshire Districts March 13, 1855 3 0 Decrease 3 0 Steady 3 Increase 3 0 Steady
Connecticut Districts April 2, 1855 4 0 Decrease 4 0 Steady 4 Increase 4 0 Steady
Rhode Island Districts April 4, 1855 2 0 Decrease 2 0 Steady 2 Increase 2 0 Steady
Virginia Districts May 24, 1855 13 12 Decrease 1 0 Steady 1 Increase 1 0 Steady
North Carolina Districts August 2, 1855 8 5 Steady 0 Decrease 3 3 Increase 3 0 Steady
Tennessee Districts 10 5 Steady 0 Decrease 5 5 Increase 5 0 Steady
Alabama Districts August 6, 1855 7 5 Decrease 1 0 Decrease 1 2 Increase 2 0 Steady
Kentucky Districts 10 4 Decrease 1 0 Decrease 5 6 Increase 6 0 Steady
Texas Districts 2 1 Decrease 1 0 Steady 1 Increase 1 0 Steady
Georgia Districts October 1, 1855 8 6 Steady 0 Decrease 2 2 Increase 2 0 Steady
Louisiana Districts November 5, 1855 4 3 Steady 0 Decrease 1 1 Increase 1 0 Steady
Mississippi Districts[o] November 5–6, 1855 5 4 Decrease 1 0 Steady 1 Increase 1 0 Steady
Maryland Districts November 6, 1855 6 2 Decrease 2 0 Decrease 2 4 Increase 4 0 Steady
Total 234 82
35.04%		 Decrease 75 55
23.50%		 Decrease16 52
22.22%		 Increase 52 45
19.23%		 Increase41
Popular vote
Democratic
 
 43.95%
Know Nothing
 
 19.56%
Whig
 
 18.00%
Anti-Nebraska
 
 6.09%
Republican
 
 5.65%
People's
 
 3.17%
Independent
 
 2.61%
Free Soil
 
 0.71%
Others
 
 0.26%
House seats
Democratic
 
 35.04%
Whig
 
 23.08%
Know Nothing
 
 22.22%
Anti-Nebraska
 
 9.40%
Republican
 
 5.56%
People's
 
 3.85%
Independent Whig
 
 0.43%
Free Soil
 
 0.43%

Maps

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Special elections

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33rd Congress

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District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[13]
New York 29 Azariah Boody Whig 1852 Incumbent resigned October 13, 1853.[14]
New member elected January 4, 1854.
Whig hold.
  • ▌Green tickY Davis Carpenter (Whig) 43.82%
  • ▌Frederick F. Backud (Democratic) 32.51%
  • ▌Calvin Huson (Free Soil) 20.87%
Pennsylvania 8 Henry A. Muhlenberg Democratic 1852 Incumbent died January 9, 1854.
New member elected February 4, 1854.
Democratic hold.
Tennessee 1 Brookins Campbell Democratic 1853 Incumbent died December 25, 1853.
New member elected March 9, 1854.
Whig gain.
Massachusetts 1 Zeno Scudder Whig 1850 Incumbent resigned March 4, 1854.
New member elected April 3, 1854.
Whig hold.
  • ▌Green tickY Thomas D. Eliot (Whig) 52.04%
  • ▌Abraham H. Howland (Independent) 47.96%
Virginia 11 John F. Snodgrass Democratic 1853 Incumbent died June 5, 1854.
New member elected August 3, 1854.
Democratic hold.
New York 12 Gilbert Dean Democratic 1850 Incumbent resigned July 3, 1854.
New member elected November 7, 1854.
Whig gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Isaac Teller (Whig) 50.56%
  • ▌Samuel Morse (Soft-Shell Democratic) 31.27%
  • ▌Charles Robinson (Hard-Shell Democratic) 18.17%
New York 22 Gerrit Smith Free Soil 1852 Incumbent resigned August 7, 1854.
New member elected November 7, 1854.
Whig gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Henry C. Goodwin (Whig) 45.15%
  • ▌Sidney T. Fairchild (Soft Shell Democratic) 27.30%
  • ▌Federal Dana (Free Soil) 17.79%
  • ▌Zedock T. Bentley (Hard Shell Democratic) 9.77%
Kentucky 3 Presley Ewing Whig 1851 Incumbent died September 27, 1854.
New member elected November 13, 1854.
Whig hold.

34th Congress

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District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[15]
Massachusetts 10 Henry Morris Know Nothing 1854 Incumbent resigned September 20, 1855.
New member elected November 6, 1855.
Know Nothing hold.

Alabama

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Alabama held elections on August 6, 1855.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[16]
Alabama 1 Philip Phillips Democratic 1853 Incumbent retired.
Know Nothing gain.
Alabama 2 James Abercrombie Whig 1851 Incumbent retired.
Democratic gain.
Alabama 3 James F. Dowdell Democratic 1853 Incumbent re-elected.
Alabama 4 William Russell Smith Democratic 1851 Incumbent re-elected to a new party.
Know Nothing gain.
Alabama 5 George S. Houston Democratic 1843 Incumbent re-elected.
Alabama 6 Williamson R. W. Cobb Democratic 1847 Incumbent re-elected.
Alabama 7 Sampson Willis Harris Democratic 1847 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Sampson Willis Harris (Democratic) 57.28%
  • ▌William B. Martin (Anti-Know Nothing Independent) 42.72%

Arkansas

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Arkansas held elections on August 4, 1854.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[17]
Arkansas 1 Alfred B. Greenwood Democratic 1852 Incumbent re-elected.
Arkansas 2 Edward A. Warren Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Democratic hold.
  • ▌Green tickY Albert Rust (Democratic) 65.95%
  • ▌E. G. Walker (Whig) 34.05%

California

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California held elections on September 6, 1854.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[17][p]
California at-large
2 seats		 Milton S. Latham Democratic 1852 Incumbent withdrew.
Democratic hold.
James A. McDougall Democratic 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Democratic hold.

Connecticut

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Connecticut held elections on April 2, 1855.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[16]
Connecticut 1 James T. Pratt Democratic 1853 Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.
Connecticut 2 Colin M. Ingersoll Democratic 1851 Incumbent retired.
Know Nothing gain.
Connecticut 3 Nathan Belcher Democratic 1853 Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Sidney Dean (Know Nothing) 67.51%
  • ▌Joel W. White (Democratic) 32.49%
Connecticut 4 Origen S. Seymour Democratic 1851 Incumbent retired.
Know Nothing gain.

Delaware

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Delaware held elections on November 14, 1854.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[17]
Delaware at-large George R. Riddle Democratic 1850 Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.

Florida

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Florida held elections on October 2, 1854.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[17]
Florida at-large Augustus Maxwell Democratic 1852 Incumbent re-elected.

Georgia

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Georgia held elections on October 1, 1855.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[16]
Georgia 1 James Lindsay Seward Democratic 1853 Incumbent re-elected.
Georgia 2 Alfred H. Colquitt Democratic 1853 Incumbent retired.
Democratic hold.
Georgia 3 Jack Bailey Democratic 1851 Incumbent retired.
Know Nothing gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Robert P. Trippe (Know Nothing) 53.96%
  • ▌James M. Smith (Democratic) 46.04%
Georgia 4 William B. W. Dent Democratic 1853 Incumbent retired.
Democratic hold.
Georgia 5 Elijah W. Chastain Democratic 1851 Incumbent retired.
Democratic hold.
  • ▌Green tickY John H. Lumpkin (Democratic) 58.61%
  • ▌Lewis Tumblin (Know Nothing) 41.39%
Georgia 6 Junius Hillyer Democratic 1851 Incumbent retired.
Democratic hold.
  • ▌Green tickY Howell Cobb (Democratic) 63.78%
  • ▌Leonidas Franklin (Know Nothing) 36.22%
Georgia 7 David A. Reese Whig 1853 Incumbent retired.
Know Nothing gain.
Georgia 8 Alexander H. Stephens Whig 1853 Incumbent re-elected as a Democrat.
Democratic gain.

Illinois

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Illinois held elections on November 7, 1854.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[18]
Illinois 1 Elihu B. Washburne Whig 1852 Incumbent re-elected as a Republican.
Republican gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Elihu B. Washburne (Republican) 69.33%
  • ▌William M. Jackson (Democratic) 22.99%
  • ▌E. P. Ferry (Anti-Nebraska Democratic) 7.67%
Illinois 2 John Wentworth Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Republican gain.
  • ▌Green tickY James H. Woodworth (Republican) 53.05%
  • ▌Robert S. Blackwell (Whig) 19.84%
  • ▌John B. Turner (Democratic) 19.48%
  • ▌Edward L. Mayo (Anti-Nebraska Democratic) 7.63%
Illinois 3 Jesse O. Norton Whig 1852 Incumbent re-elected as a Republican.
Republican gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Jesse O. Norton (Republican) 62.76%
  • ▌John A. Drake (Democratic) 37.24%
Illinois 4 James Knox Whig 1852 Incumbent re-elected.
Illinois 5 William A. Richardson Democratic 1847 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
Illinois 6 Richard Yates Whig 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Democratic gain.
Illinois 7 James C. Allen Democratic 1852 Incumbent re-elected.
Winner subsequently unseated.
Illinois 8 William Henry Bissell Independent
Democrat		 1848 Incumbent retired.
Anti-Nebraska Democratic gain.
Illinois 9 Willis Allen Democratic 1850 Incumbent retired.
Democratic hold.
  • ▌Green tickY Samuel S. Marshall (Democratic) 62.10%
  • ▌L. Jay Turner (Republican) 21.27%
  • ▌DeWitt C. Barber (Unknown) 9.33%
  • ▌Almerin Grow (Unknown) 7.30%

Indiana

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Indiana held elections on October 10, 1854.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[19]
Indiana 1 Smith Miller Democratic 1852 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Smith Miller (Democratic) 52.15%
  • ▌Sam Hall (People's) 47.85%
Indiana 2 William Hayden English Democratic 1852 Incumbent re-elected.
Indiana 3 Cyrus L. Dunham Democratic 1849 Incumbent lost re-election.
People's gain.
Indiana 4 Jim Lane Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
People's gain.
  • ▌Green tickY William Cumback (People's) 51.92%
  • ▌William G. Holman (Democratic) 48.08%
Indiana 5 Samuel W. Parker Whig 1851 Incumbent retired.
People's gain.
Indiana 6 Thomas A. Hendricks Democratic 1851 Incumbent lost re-election.
People's gain.
Indiana 7 John G. Davis Democratic 1851 Incumbent lost re-election.
People's gain.
Indiana 8 Daniel Mace Democratic 1851 Incumbent re-elected to a new party.
People's gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Daniel Mace (People's) 56.92%
  • ▌James Davis (Democratic) 43.08%
Indiana 9 Norman Eddy Democratic 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
People's gain.
Indiana 10 Ebenezer M. Chamberlain Democratic 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
People's gain.
Indiana 11 Andrew J. Harlan Democratic 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
People's gain.
  • ▌Green tickY John U. Pettit (People's) 56.59%
  • ▌J. R. Slack (Democratic) 43.41%

Iowa

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Iowa held elections on August 7, 1854.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[19]
Iowa 1 Bernhart Henn Democratic 1850 Incumbent retired.
Democratic hold.
  • ▌Green tickY Augustus Hall (Democratic) 50.27%
  • ▌R. L. Clark (Whig) 49.50%
  • ▌J. L. Ashbaugh (Unknown) 0.23%
Iowa 2 William Vandever Whig 1852 Incumbent retired.
Whig hold.

Kentucky

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Kentucky held elections on August 6, 1855.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[16]
Kentucky 1 Linn Boyd Democratic 1839 Incumbent retired.
Democratic hold.
Kentucky 2 Benjamin E. Grey Whig 1851 Incumbent retired or lost re-election.[q]
Know Nothing gain.
Kentucky 3 Francis Bristow Whig 1854 (special) Incumbent retired.
Know Nothing gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Warner Underwood (Know Nothing) 56.88%
  • ▌James P. Bates (Democratic) 43.12%
Kentucky 4 James Chrisman Democratic 1853 Incumbent retired.
Democratic hold.
Kentucky 5 Clement S. Hill Whig 1853 Incumbent retired.
Democratic gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Joshua Jewett (Democratic) 51.63%
  • ▌C. G. Wintersmith (Know Nothing) 48.37%
Kentucky 6 John Milton Elliott Democratic 1853 Incumbent re-elected.
Kentucky 7 William Preston Whig 1852 (special) Incumbent lost re-election as a Democrat.
Know Nothing gain.
Kentucky 8 John C. Breckinridge Democratic 1851 Incumbent retired.
Know Nothing gain.
Kentucky 9 Leander Cox Whig 1853 Incumbent re-elected as a Know Nothing.
Know Nothing gain.
Richard H. Stanton
Redistricted from the 10th district		 Democratic 1849 Incumbent lost re-election.
Democratic loss.
Kentucky 10 Vacant Incumbent redistricted to the 9th district.
Know Nothing gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Samuel F. Swope (Know Nothing) 51.72%
  • ▌Henry C. Harris (Democratic) 48.28%

Louisiana

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Louisiana held elections on November 5, 1855.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[16]
Louisiana 1 William Dunbar Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Know Nothing gain.
Louisiana 2 Theodore G. Hunt Whig 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Democratic gain.
Louisiana 3 John Perkins Jr. Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Democratic hold.
Louisiana 4 Roland Jones Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Democratic hold.
  • ▌Green tickY John M. Sandidge (Democratic) 58.05%
  • ▌William B. Lewis (Know Nothing) 41.95%

Maine

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Maine held elections on September 11, 1854.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[19]
Maine 1 Moses Macdonald Democratic 1850 Incumbent retired.
Republican gain.
  • ▌Green tickY John M. Wood (Republican) 59.36%
  • ▌Samuel Wells (Democratic) 39.90%
  • ▌Lorenzo D. Wilkinson (Unknown) 0.73%
Maine 2 Samuel Mayall Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Republican gain.
  • ▌Green tickY John J. Perry (Republican) 56.88%
  • ▌William K. Kimball (Democratic) 42.46%
  • ▌Charles J. Gilman (Unknown) 0.65%
Maine 3 E. Wilder Farley Whig 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Republican gain.
Maine 4 Samuel P. Benson Whig 1852 Incumbent re-elected as a Republican.
Republican gain.
Maine 5 Israel Washburn Jr. Whig 1850 Incumbent re-elected as a Republican.
Republican gain.
Maine 6 Thomas J. D. Fuller Democratic 1848 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Thomas J. D. Fuller (Democratic) 41.29%
  • ▌James A. Milliken (Republican) 37.73%
  • ▌Noah Smith (Whig) 20.98%

Maryland

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Maryland held elections on November 6, 1865.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[16]
Maryland 1 John Rankin Franklin Whig 1853 Incumbent retired.
Democratic gain.
Maryland 2 Jacob Shower Democratic 1853 Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.
Maryland 3 Joshua Van Sant Democratic 1853 Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.
Maryland 4 William T. Hamilton Democratic 1849 Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.
Maryland 5 Henry May Democratic 1853 Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.
Maryland 6 Augustus Rhodes Sollers Whig 1853 Incumbent retired.
Democratic gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Thomas F. Bowie (Democratic) 53.93%
  • ▌William Watkins (Know Nothing) 46.07%

Massachusetts

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Massachusetts held elections on November 12, 1854.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[19]
Massachusetts 1 Thomas D. Eliot Whig 1854 (special) Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.
Massachusetts 2 Samuel L. Crocker Whig 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.
Massachusetts 3 J. Wiley Edmands Whig 1852 Incumbent retired.
Know Nothing gain.
  • ▌Green tickY William S. Damrell (Know Nothing) 74.76%
  • ▌Nathaniel F. Safford (Whig) 16.67%
  • ▌Edward Avery (Democratic) 5.38%
  • ▌Arthur W. Austin (Unknown) 3.19%
Massachusetts 4 Samuel H. Walley Whig 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.
Massachusetts 5 William Appleton Whig 1850 Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.
Massachusetts 6 Charles W. Upham Whig 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.
Massachusetts 7 Nathaniel P. Banks Democratic 1852 Incumbent re-elected as a Know Nothing.
Know Nothing gain.
Massachusetts 8 Tappan Wentworth Whig 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.
Massachusetts 9 Alexander DeWitt Free Soil 1852 Incumbent re-elected as a Know Nothing.
Know Nothing gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Alexander DeWitt (Know Nothing) 76.97%
  • ▌Isaac Davis (Democratic) 13.36%
  • ▌Ira M. Barton (Whig) 7.45%
  • ▌Alfred Mowrey (Unknown) 1.42%
  • ▌William P. Marble (Unknown) 0.46%
  • Scattering 0.34%
Massachusetts 10 Edward Dickinson Whig 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Henry Morris (Know Nothing) 65.35%
  • ▌Edward Dickinson (Whig) 23.33%
  • ▌Stephen C. Bemis (Democratic) 11.32%
Massachusetts 11 John Z. Goodrich Whig 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.

Michigan

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Michigan held elections on November 7, 1854.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[19]
Michigan 1 David Stuart Democratic 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Republican gain.
Michigan 2 David A. Noble Democratic 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Republican gain.
Michigan 3 Samuel Clark Democratic 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Republican gain.
Michigan 4 Hestor L. Stevens Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Democratic hold.

Mississippi

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Mississippi held elections on November 5–6, 1855.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[15]
Mississippi 1 Daniel B. Wright Democratic 1853 Incumbent re-elected.
Mississippi 2 William S. Barry Democratic 1853 Incumbent retired.
Democratic hold.
Mississippi 3 William Barksdale
Redistricted from the at-large district		 Democratic 1853 Incumbent re-elected.
Mississippi 4 Otho R. Singleton
Redistricted from the 3rd district		 Democratic 1853 Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.
Mississippi 5 None (new seat) New seat.
Democratic gain.
  • ▌Green tickY John A. Quitman (Democratic) 59.31%
  • ▌Giles M. Hillyer (Know Nothing) 40.69%

Missouri

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Missouri held elections on August 7, 1854.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[19]
Missouri 1 Thomas H. Benton Democratic 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Whig gain.
Missouri 2 Alfred W. Lamb Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Whig gain.
Missouri 3 James J. Lindley Whig 1852 Incumbent re-elected.
Missouri 4 Mordecai Oliver Whig 1852 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Mordecai Oliver (Whig) 41.95%
  • ▌S. L. Leonard (Anti-Benton Democratic) 34.21%
  • ▌Shelton J. Howe (Benton Democratic) 19.08%
  • ▌J. F. Pitt (Independent Whig) 4.76%
Missouri 5 John G. Miller Whig 1850 Incumbent re-elected.
Missouri 6 John S. Phelps Democratic 1844 Incumbent re-elected.
Missouri 7 Samuel Caruthers Whig 1852 Incumbent re-elected.

New Hampshire

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New Hampshire held elections on March 13, 1855.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[15]
New Hampshire 1 George W. Kittredge Democratic 1853 Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.
New Hampshire 2 George W. Morrison Democratic 1853 Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.
New Hampshire 3 Harry Hibbard Democratic 1849 Incumbent retired.
Know Nothing gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Aaron H. Cragin (Know Nothing) 58.40%
  • ▌William P. Wheeler (Democratic) 41.60%

New Jersey

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New Jersey held elections on November 7, 1854.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[19]
New Jersey 1 Nathan T. Stratton Democratic 1850 Incumbent retired.
Whig gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Isaiah D. Clawson (Whig) 42.94%
  • ▌Thomas W. Mulford (Democratic) 30.02%
  • ▌John W. Hazelton (Temperance) 27.05%
New Jersey 2 Charles Skelton Democratic 1850 Incumbent retired.
Whig gain.
New Jersey 3 Samuel Lilly Democratic 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Whig gain.
New Jersey 4 George Vail Democratic 1852 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY George Vail (Democratic) 51.65%
  • ▌Peter Osborne (Independent Anti-Nebraska) 48.35%
New Jersey 5 Alexander C. M. Pennington Whig 1852 Incumbent re-elected.

New York

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New York held elections on November 7, 1854.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[20]
New York 1 James Maurice Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Know Nothing gain.
  • ▌Green tickY William Valk (Know Nothing) 30.97%
  • ▌Daniel B. Allen (Hard Shell Democratic) 20.34%
  • ▌Harvey W. Vail (Whig) 19.67%
  • ▌Frederick Lord (Soft Shell Democratic) 16.36%
  • ▌Gabriel P. Disosway (Temperance) 12.05%
  • Scattering 0.62%
New York 2 Thomas W. Cumming Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Whig gain.
New York 3 Hiram Walbridge Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Whig gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Guy R. Pelton (Whig; Know Nothing) 49.06%
  • ▌George D. Clinton (Hard Shell Democratic) 30.70%
  • ▌William Miner (Soft Shell Democratic) 20.24%
New York 4 Michael Walsh Democratic 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Democratic hold.
  • ▌Green tickY John Kelly (Soft Shell Democratic) 40.54%
  • ▌Michael Walsh (Hard Shell Democratic) 40.30%
  • ▌Sanford L. Macomber (Whig) 10.89%
  • ▌John W. Boyce (Know Nothing; Independent Whig) 8.27%
New York 5 William M. Tweed Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Know Nothing gain.
New York 6 John Wheeler Democratic 1852 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY John Wheeler (Hard Shell Democratic) 46.30%
  • ▌John M. Murphy (Soft Shell Democratic) 22.99%
  • ▌Charles H. Marshall (Whig) 20.47%
  • ▌Charles D. Mead (Independent Democrat) 10.24%
New York 7 William A. Walker Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Whig gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Thomas Child Jr. (Whig; Know Nothing) 56.29%
  • ▌William D. Kennedy (Democratic) 43.71%
New York 8 Francis B. Cutting Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Whig gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Abram Wakeman (Whig) 51.87%
  • ▌James L. Curtis (Hard Shell Democratic) 32.52%
  • ▌Edward B. Fellows (Soft Shell Democratic) 15.61%
New York 9 Jared V. Peck Democratic 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.
New York 10 William Murray Democratic 1850 Incumbent retired.
Whig gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Ambrose S. Murray (Whig) 44.05%
  • ▌Charles S. Woodworth (Hard Shell Democratic) 38.59%
  • ▌Jonathan Stratton (Soft Shell Democratic) 17.36%
New York 11 Theodoric R. Westbrook Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Whig gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Rufus H. King (Whig) 62.98%
  • ▌Elisha P. Strong (Democratic) 37.02%
New York 12 Isaac Teller Whig 1854 (special) Incumbent retired.
Whig hold.
  • ▌Green tickY Killian Miller (Whig) 51.07%
  • ▌Hugh McClelland (Soft Shell Democratic) 33.78%
  • ▌William H. Wilson (Hard Shell Democratic) 15.16%
New York 13 Russell Sage Whig 1852 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Russell Sage (Whig) 63.22%
  • ▌Henry A. Clum (Soft Shell Democratic) 18.86%
  • ▌Alanson Cook (Hard Shell Democratic) 17.92%
New York 14 Rufus W. Peckham Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Whig gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Samuel Dickson (Whig) 30.91%
  • ▌John W. Harcourt (Know Nothing) 28.45%
  • ▌John V. L. Pruyn (Soft Shell Democratic) 25.61%
  • ▌Hamilton David (Hard Shell Democratic) 15.03%
New York 15 Charles Hughes Democratic 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Whig gain.
New York 16 George A. Simmons Whig 1852 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY George A. Simmons (Whig) 48.18%
  • ▌Jerome B. Bailey (Know Nothing) 27.06%
  • ▌Gorton T. Thomas (Soft Shell Democratic) 15.02%
  • ▌Joseph R. Flanders (Hard Shell Democratic) 9.75%
New York 17 Bishop Perkins Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Democratic hold.
New York 18 Peter Rowe Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Whig gain.
New York 19 George W. Chase Whig 1852 Incumbent retired.
Whig hold.
  • ▌Green tickY Jonas A. Hughston (Whig) 43.25%
  • ▌Lewis R. Palmer (Soft Shell Democratic) 41.33%
  • ▌William B. Hawes (Free Soil) 8.59%
  • ▌Hezekiah Sturgis (Hard Shell Democratic) 6.84%
New York 20 Orsamus B. Matteson Whig
Incumbent re-elected.
New York 21 Henry Bennett Whig 1848 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Henry Bennett (Whig) 56.03%
  • ▌Edward Tompkins (Hard Shell Democratic) 32.04%
  • ▌Oliver C. Crocker (Soft Shell Democratic) 11.93%
New York 22 Gerrit Smith Free Soil 1852 Incumbent resigned August 7, 1854.
Whig gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Andrew Z. McCarty (Whig) 32.19%
  • ▌Leander Babcock (Soft Shell Democratic) 27.50%
  • ▌Charles G. Case (Free Soil) 21.24%
  • ▌William Lewis (Hard Shell Democratic) 19.08%
New York 23 Caleb Lyon Independent 1852 Incumbent retired.
Whig gain.
  • ▌Green tickY William A. Gilbert (Whig) 46.35%
  • ▌Willard Ives (Soft Shell Democratic) 41.86%
  • ▌Lysander Brown (Hard Shell Democratic) 11.22%
  • ▌Reuben Goodale (Radical Abolitionist) 0.58%
New York 24 Daniel T. Jones Democratic 1850 Incumbent retired.
Whig gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Amos P. Granger (Whig) 37.50%
  • ▌Thomas G. Alvord (Soft Shell Democratic) 32.08%
  • ▌B. Davis Noxon (Know Nothing) 26.62%
  • ▌Sanford Parker (Hard Shell Democratic) 3.80%
New York 25 Edwin B. Morgan Whig 1850 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Edwin B. Morgan (Whig) 48.35%
  • ▌George H. Middleton (Soft Shell Democratic) 43.50%
  • ▌William F. Aldrich (Hard Shell Democratic) 8.15%
New York 26 Andrew Oliver Democratic 1852 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Andrew Oliver (Soft Shell Democratic) 47.74%
  • ▌James M. Seeley (Whig) 37.06%
  • ▌Thomas M. Howell (Hard Shell Democratic) 15.20%
New York 27 John J. Taylor Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Whig gain.
New York 28 George Hastings Democratic 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Whig gain.
New York 29 Davis Carpenter Whig 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Democratic gain.
New York 30 Benjamin Pringle Whig 1852 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Benjamin Pringle (Whig) 57.59%
  • ▌Albert P. Laning (Soft Shell Democratic) 23.62%
  • ▌Charles W. Belden (Hard Shell Democratic) 14.59%
  • ▌Nathan V. Hull (Free Soil) 4.19%
New York 31 Thomas T. Flagler Whig 1852 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Thomas T. Flagler (Whig) 76.63%
  • ▌Alden S. Blair (Democratic) 13.12%
  • ▌Edward J. Chase (Free Soil) 10.25%
New York 32 Solomon G. Haven Whig 1850 Incumbent re-elected.
New York 33 Reuben Fenton Democratic 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Francis S. Edwards (Know Nothing) 55.49%
  • ▌Reuben Fenton (Soft Shell Democratic) 42.47%
  • ▌Ebenezer A. Lester (Hard Shell Democratic) 1.64%
  • ▌George W. Patterson (Whig) 0.40%

North Carolina

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North Carolina held elections on August 9, 1855.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[15]
North Carolina 1 Henry M. Shaw Democratic 1853 Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.
North Carolina 2 Thomas Hart Ruffin Democratic 1853 Incumbent re-elected.
North Carolina 3 William S. Ashe Democratic 1849 Incumbent retired.
Democratic hold.
  • ▌Green tickY Warren Winslow (Democratic) 54.94%
  • ▌David Reid (Know Nothing) 45.06%
North Carolina 4 Sion H. Rogers Whig 1853 Incumbent retired.
Democratic gain.
North Carolina 5 John Kerr Jr. Whig 1853 Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.
North Carolina 6 Richard C. Puryear Whig 1853 Incumbent re-elected as a Know Nothing.
Know Nothing gain.
North Carolina 7 F. Burton Craige Democratic 1853 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY F. Burton Craige (Democratic) 62.17%
  • ▌Samuel N. Stowe (Know Nothing) 37.83%
North Carolina 8 Thomas L. Clingman Democratic 1843
1845 (lost)
1847		 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Thomas L. Clingman (Democratic) 55.10%
  • ▌Leander B. Carmichael (Know Nothing) 44.90%

Ohio

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Ohio held elections on October 10, 1854.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[21]
Ohio 1 David T. Disney Democratic 1848 Incumbent retired.
Anti-Nebraska gain.
Ohio 2 John Scott Harrison Whig 1852 Incumbent re-elected as Anti-Nebraska.
Anti-Nebraska gain.
Ohio 3 Lewis D. Campbell Whig 1848 Incumbent re-elected as Anti-Nebraska.
Anti-Nebraska gain.
Ohio 4 Matthias H. Nichols Democratic 1852 Incumbent re-elected as Anti-Nebraska.
Anti-Nebraska gain.
Ohio 5 Alfred Edgerton Democratic 1850 Incumbent retired.
Anti-Nebraska gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Richard Mott (Anti-Nebraska) 61.62%
  • ▌Henry S. Cowager (Democratic) 38.38%
Ohio 6 Andrew Ellison Democratic 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Anti-Nebraska gain.
Ohio 7 Aaron Harlan Whig 1852 Incumbent re-elected as Anti-Nebraska.
Anti-Nebraska gain.
Ohio 8 Moses Bledso Corwin Whig 1852 Incumbent retired.
Anti-Nebraska gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Benjamin Stanton (Anti-Nebraska) 75.84%
  • ▌Enoch G. Dial (Democratic) 23.10%
  • ▌J. Newell (Unknown) 1.06%
Ohio 9 Frederick W. Green Democratic 1850 Incumbent retired.
Anti-Nebraska gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Cooper K. Watson (Anti-Nebraska) 59.92%
  • ▌Josiah S. Plants (Democratic) 40.08%
Ohio 10 John L. Taylor Democratic 1846 Incumbent retired.
Anti-Nebraska gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Oscar F. Moore (Anti-Nebraska) 65.32%
  • ▌James W. Davis (Democratic) 34.68%
Ohio 11 Thomas Ritchey Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Anti-Nebraska gain.
Ohio 12 Edson B. Olds Democratic 1848 Incumbent lost re-election.
Anti-Nebraska gain.
Ohio 13 William D. Lindsley Democratic 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Anti-Nebraska gain.
Ohio 14 Harvey H. Johnson Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Anti-Nebraska gain.
Ohio 15 William R. Sapp Whig 1852 Incumbent re-elected as Anti-Nebraska.
Anti-Nebraska gain.
  • ▌Green tickY William R. Sapp (Anti-Nebraska) 58.99%
  • ▌William Dunbar (Democratic) 41.01%
Ohio 16 Edward Ball Whig 1852 Incumbent re-elected as Anti-Nebraska.
Anti-Nebraska gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Edward Ball (Anti-Nebraska) 58.89%
  • ▌William Galligher (Democratic) 41.11%
Ohio 17 Wilson Shannon Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Anti-Nebraska gain.
Ohio 18 George Bliss Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Anti-Nebraska gain.
Ohio 19 Edward Wade Free Soil 1852 Incumbent re-elected as Anti-Nebraska.
Anti-Nebraska gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Edward Wade (Anti-Nebraska) 71.07%
  • ▌Eli T. Wilder (Democratic) 28.42%
  • ▌Irad Kelly (Unknown) 0.50%
Ohio 20 Joshua Reed Giddings Free Soil 1843 Incumbent re-elected as Anti-Nebraska.
Anti-Nebraska gain.
Ohio 21 Andrew Stuart Democratic 1848 Incumbent lost re-election.
Anti-Nebraska gain.
  • ▌Green tickY John Bingham (Anti-Nebraska) 65.31%
  • ▌Andrew Stuart (Democratic) 34.69%

Pennsylvania

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Pennsylvania held elections on October 10, 1854.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[22]
Pennsylvania 1 Thomas B. Florence Democratic 1848 Incumbent re-elected.
Pennsylvania 2 Joseph R. Chandler Whig 1848 Incumbent lost re-election.
Whig hold.
Pennsylvania 3 John Robbins Democratic 1848 Incumbent retired.
Whig gain.
Pennsylvania 4 William Henry Witte Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Know Nothing gain.
Pennsylvania 5 John McNair Democratic 1850 Incumbent retired.
Democratic hold.
Pennsylvania 6 William Everhart Whig 1852 Incumbent retired.
Democratic gain.
Pennsylvania 7 Samuel A. Bridges Democratic 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Whig gain.
Pennsylvania 8 J. Glancy Jones Democratic 1854 Incumbent re-elected.
Pennsylvania 9 Isaac E. Hiester Whig 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Independent Whig gain.
Pennsylvania 10 Ner Middleswarth Whig 1852 Incumbent retired.
Whig hold.
Pennsylvania 11 Christian M. Straub Democratic 1852 Incumbent retired.
Whig gain.
Pennsylvania 12 Hendrick B. Wright Democratic 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Whig gain.
Pennsylvania 13 Asa Packer Democratic 1852 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Asa Packer (Democratic) 58.67%
  • ▌Edward F. Stewart (Whig) 41.33%
Pennsylvania 14 Galusha A. Grow Democratic 1850 Incumbent re-elected as a Free Soil Democrat.
Free Soil Democratic gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Galusha A. Grow (Free Soil Democratic) 95.22%
  • ▌Jim Grow (Unknown) 4.56%
  • ▌Olin L. Hawley (Unknown) 0.23%
Pennsylvania 15 James Gamble Democratic 1850 Incumbent retired.
Whig gain.
Pennsylvania 16 William H. Kurtz Democratic 1850 Incumbent retired.
Whig gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Lemuel Todd (Whig) 51.65%
  • ▌J. Ellis Booham (Democratic) 48.35%
Pennsylvania 17 Samuel L. Russell Whig 1852 Incumbent retired.
Whig hold.
Pennsylvania 18 John McCulloch Whig 1852 Incumbent retired.
Whig hold.
  • ▌Green tickY John R. Edie (Whig) 72.36%
  • ▌Jacob Croswell (Independent Whig) 27.64%
Pennsylvania 19 Augustus Drum Democratic 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Whig gain.
Pennsylvania 20 John L. Dawson Democratic 1850 Incumbent retired.
Whig gain.
Pennsylvania 21 David Ritchie Whig 1852 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY David Ritchie (Whig) 64.85%
  • ▌Charles Shaler (Democratic) 35.15%
Pennsylvania 22 Thomas M. Howe Whig 1850 Incumbent retired.
Whig hold.
  • ▌Green tickY Samuel A. Purviance (Whig) 58.71%
  • ▌Orrin D. Palmer (Democratic) 37.97%
  • ▌I.T. Robinson (Know Nothing) 1.86%
  • ▌I.G. Bruning (Democratic) 1.26%
  • ▌Neville B. Craig (Unknown) 0.20%
Pennsylvania 23 Michael C. Trout Democratic 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Whig gain.
Pennsylvania 24 Carlton Brandage Curtis Democratic 1850 Incumbent lost re-election.
Democratic hold.
Pennsylvania 25 John Dick Whig 1852 Incumbent re-elected.

Rhode Island

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Rhode Island held elections on April 4, 1855.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[15]
Rhode Island 1 Thomas Davis Democratic 1853 Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.
Rhode Island 2 Benjamin B. Thurston Democratic 1851 Incumbent re-elected to a new party.
Know Nothing gain.

South Carolina

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South Carolina held elections on October 9 and 10, 1854.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[16]
South Carolina 1 John McQueen Democratic 1849 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY John McQueen (Democratic) 67.44%
  • ▌I. D. Wilson (Unknown) 32.56%
South Carolina 2 William Aiken Jr. Democratic 1850 Incumbent re-elected.
South Carolina 3 Laurence M. Keitt Democratic 1853 Incumbent re-elected.
South Carolina 4 Preston Brooks Democratic 1853 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Preston Brooks (Democratic) 66.84%
  • ▌Garlington (Unknown) 33.16%
South Carolina 5 James L. Orr Democratic 1853 Incumbent re-elected.
South Carolina 6 William W. Boyce Democratic 1853 Incumbent re-elected.

Tennessee

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Tennessee held elections on August 2, 1855, after the start of the term but before Congress convened.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[15]
Tennessee 1 Nathaniel G. Taylor Whig 1854 (special) Incumbent lost re-election as a Know Nothing.
Democratic gain.
Tennessee 2 William M. Churchwell Democratic 1851 Incumbent retired.
Know Nothing gain.
  • ▌Green tickY William H. Sneed (Know Nothing) 52.15%
  • ▌David H. Cummins (Democratic) 47.85%
Tennessee 3 Samuel A. Smith Democratic 1853 Incumbent re-elected.
Tennessee 4 William Cullom Whig 1851 Incumbent lost re-election.
Democratic gain.
Tennessee 5 Charles Ready Whig 1853 Incumbent re-elected as a Know Nothing.
Know Nothing gain.
Tennessee 6 George W. Jones Democratic 1842 Incumbent re-elected.
Tennessee 7 Robert M. Bugg Whig 1853 Incumbent retired.
Democratic gain.
  • ▌Green tickY John V. Wright (Democratic) 57.24%
  • ▌William Kendrick (Know Nothing) 42.76%
Tennessee 8 Felix Zollicoffer Whig 1853 Incumbent re-elected as a Know Nothing.
Know Nothing gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Felix Zollicoffer (Know Nothing) 58.89%
  • ▌Granville C. Torbett (Democratic) 41.11%
Tennessee 9 Emerson Etheridge Whig 1853 Incumbent re-elected as a Know Nothing.
Know Nothing gain.
  • ▌Green tickY Emerson Etheridge (Know Nothing) 51.82%
  • ▌Thomas J. Freeman (Democratic) 48.18%
Tennessee 10 Frederick P. Stanton Democratic 1845 Incumbent retired.
Know Nothing gain.

Texas

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District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[15]
Texas 1 George W. Smyth Democratic 1853 Incumbent retired.
Know Nothing gain.
Texas 2 Peter Hansborough Bell Democratic 1853 Incumbent re-elected.

Vermont

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District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[16]
Vermont 1 James Meacham Whig 1849 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY James Meacham (Whig) 71.35%
  • ▌Solomon W. Jewett (Democratic) 28.65%
Vermont 2 Andrew Tracy Whig 1852 Incumbent retired.
Whig hold.
  • ▌Green tickY Justin S. Morrill (Whig) 50.25%
  • ▌J. W. Parker (Democratic) 35.07%
  • ▌Oscar L. Shafter (Free Soil Democratic) 14.67%
Vermont 3 Alvah Sabin Whig 1852 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Alvah Sabin (Whig) 68.54%
  • ▌William Heywood (Democratic) 31.46%

Virginia

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District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[15]
Virginia 1 Thomas H. Bayly Democratic 1853 Incumbent re-elected.
Virginia 2 John Millson Democratic 1853 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY John Millson (Democratic) 53.29%
  • ▌Watts (Know Nothing) 46.71%
Virginia 3 John S. Caskie Democratic 1853 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY John S. Caskie (Democratic) 52.12%
  • ▌W. C. Scott (Know Nothing) 47.88%
Virginia 4 William Goode Democratic 1853 Incumbent re-elected.
Virginia 5 Thomas S. Bocock Democratic 1853 Incumbent re-elected.
Virginia 6 Paulus Powell Democratic 1853 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Paulus Powell (Democratic) 56.68%
  • ▌Ligon (Know Nothing) 43.32%
Virginia 7 William Smith Democratic 1853 Incumbent re-elected.
Virginia 8 Charles J. Faulkner Democratic 1853 Incumbent re-elected.
Virginia 9 John Letcher Democratic 1851 Incumbent re-elected.
Virginia 10 Zedekiah Kidwell Democratic 1853 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Zedekiah Kidwell (Democratic) 54.50%
  • ▌William K. Pendleton (Know Nothing) 45.50%
Virginia 11 Charles S. Lewis Democratic 1854 (special) Incumbent lost re-election.
Know Nothing gain.
Virginia 12 Henry A. Edmundson Democratic 1849 Incumbent re-elected.
Virginia 13 Fayette McMullen Democratic 1849 Incumbent re-elected.

Wisconsin

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District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[16]
Wisconsin 1 Daniel Wells Jr. Democratic 1852 Incumbent re-elected.
Wisconsin 2 Ben C. Eastman Democratic 1850 Incumbent retired.
Republican gain.
Wisconsin 3 John B. Macy Democratic 1852 Incumbent lost re-election.
Republican gain.

Non-voting delegates

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33rd Congress

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District Incumbent This race
Delegate Party First elected Results Candidates[23]
Kansas Territory at-large None (new seat) New seat.
Pro-Slavery gain.
Nebraska Territory at-large None (new seat)[r] New seat.
Anti-Nebraska Democratic gain.

34th Congress

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District Incumbent This race
Delegate Party First elected Results Candidates[29]
Kansas Territory at-large John Wilkins Whitfield Pro-Slavery 1854 Incumbent re-elected.
Incumbent subsequently unseated.[s]
Incumbent did not contest.
Free State gain.
Winner subsequently not seated.[s]
Minnesota Territory at-large Henry M. Rice Democratic 1852 Incumbent re-elected.
Nebraska Territory at-large Napoleon B. Giddings Anti-Nebraska Democratic 1854 Incumbent retired.
Nebraska gain.
Oregon Territory at-large Joseph Lane Democratic 1851 Incumbent re-elected.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ↑ Including 4 Soft-Shell Democrats, 2 Anti-Broderick Democrats, 1 Anti-Benton Democrat from Missouri, and 1 Hard-Shell Democrat.
  2. ↑ Anti-Nebraska Democrat Lyman Trumbull won the general election in Illinois's 8th congressional district but resigned before the start of the term. Democrat James L. D. Morrison won the 1856 special election for this seat, increasing the Democratic caucus to 83 seats.[2]
  3. ↑ Sources differ regarding the precise number of Democratic members. Dubin lists 82 Democrats elected to the 34th United States Congress,[3] Martis lists 83,[4] while the Tribune Almanac for 1856 lists 79 "National Administration" Democrats in addition to the vacant seat representing Illinois's 8th congressional district.[5]
  4. ↑ Sources differ regarding the precise number of Know Nothing members. Dubin lists 52 Know Nothings elected to the 34th United States Congress,[1] Martis lists 51,[4] while the Tribune Almanac includes the Northern Know Nothings as part of the plurality-winning Anti-Nebraska group.[5]
  5. ↑ Including all votes for Democrats, Anti-Broderick Democrats, Anti-Benton Democrats, Hard Shell Democrats, and Soft Shell Democrats.
  6. ↑ Anti-Nebraska Democrat Lyman Trumbull won the general election in Illinois's 8th congressional district but resigned before the start of the term, reducing the Anti-Nebraska caucus to 21 seats.[6]
  7. ↑ Including 1 Independent and 1 Independent Democrat.
  8. ↑ Including 1 Independent Whig, Anthony E. Roberts, elected from Pennsylvania's 9th congressional district.
  9. 1 2 Including all votes for Independents, Benton Democrats, Independent Democrats, and Independent Americans.
  10. ↑ "Pro-Slavery" Whigs and Know Nothings
  11. ↑ Including 54 Whigs, 22 Anti-Nebraska, 9 People's, 1 Free Soil Democrat, and 1 Independent Whig.
  12. ↑ Including:
    • Outgoing: 4 Free Soilers
    • Incoming: 22 Anti-Nebraskans, 13 Republicans, 9 People's, and 1 Free Soil Democrat
  13. ↑ Including 1 Independent Whig.
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. ↑ At-large district abolished in redistricting.
  16. ↑ Each voter selected two candidates, who were elected at-large on a general ticket. Dubin calculates the percentage for each candidate out of the total number of ballots cast.
  17. ↑ The Biographical Directory of the United States Congress claims Grey ran unsuccessfully for re-election in 1855, but official records show no votes for him in the general election.
  18. ↑ Hadley D. Johnson and Thomas Johnson were each extralegally elected to this seat in 1853, but neither was seated by the House.[25]
  19. 1 2 Rival governments of the Kansas Territory held separate elections for this seat during Bleeding Kansas. Proslavery border ruffians elected Whitfield on October 1, 1855; antislavery free staters elected Reeder on October 9.[30] The House declared both elections illegitimate on August 4, 1856, leading to a special election later that year.[31]

References

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  1. 1 2 Dubin 1998, p. 174.
  2. ↑ Dubin 1998, pp. 175n5, 173.
  3. 1 2 Dubin 1998, pp. 169–73.
  4. 1 2 3 Martis 1989, pp. 108–09.
  5. 1 2 3 Greeley 1856, p. 17.
  6. ↑ Dubin 1998, p. 175n5.
  7. ↑ Holt 1999, pp. 858–59.
  8. ↑ McPherson 1988, p. 129.
  9. ↑ Holt 1999, pp. 866, 871, 878.
  10. ↑ McPherson 1988, p. 144; Holt 1999, p. 962–63.
  11. ↑ McPherson 1988, pp. 143–44; Holt 1999, p. 962–63.
  12. ↑ Greeley 1855, p. 18.
  13. ↑ Dubin 1998, p. 168.
  14. ↑ Hough 1858, p. 75n3.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Dubin 1998, p. 173.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Dubin 1998, p. 172.
  17. 1 2 3 4 Dubin 1998, p. 169.
  18. ↑ Dubin 1998, pp. 169–70.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Dubin 1998, p. 170.
  20. ↑ Dubin 1998, pp. 170–71.
  21. ↑ Dubin 1998, p. 171.
  22. ↑ Dubin 1998, pp. 171–72.
  23. ↑ Greeley 1855, p. 64.
  24. ↑ Blackmar 1912, p. 559.
  25. ↑ Morton 1907, p. 147.
  26. 1 2 "Letter to the editor". Daily Union. December 29, 1854.
  27. ↑ "We are authorized to announce [...]". Nebraska Palladium. November 8, 1854.
  28. ↑ Morton 1907, p. 190.
  29. ↑ Greeley 1856, p. 64.
  30. 1 2 3 Andreas 1883, p. 211.
  31. ↑ Bartlett 1865, p. 204.

Bibliography

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Primary sources

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Secondary sources

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