1852 United States Senate special election in California

The 1852 United States Senate special election in California was held on January 30, 1852, by the California State Legislature to elect a U.S. senator (Class 1) to represent the State of California in the United States Senate. Legislators had previously attempted to elect a Senator in 1851, but could not reach a majority for a single candidate. In a special joint session, former Democratic Congressman from Ohio John B. Weller was elected over previous Whig candidate for Governor Pierson B. Reading.

1852 United States Senate special election in California

January 30, 1852
Majority vote of both houses needed to win
Nominee John B. Weller Pierson B. Reading Party Democratic Whig Joint session 71 17 Percentage 80.68% 19.32%
Senator before election None (Legislature failed to elect) Elected Senator John B. Weller Democratic

Results

Election in the Legislature (joint session)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John B. Weller	71	80.68%
	Whig	Pierson B. Reading	17	19.32%
Total votes			88	100.00%