1864–65 United States Senate elections

The 1864–65 United States Senate elections were held on various dates in various states. They occurred during the American Civil War and Abraham Lincoln's re-election. 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 1864 and 1865, and a seat may have been filled months late or remained vacant due to legislative deadlock. In these elections, terms were up for the senators in Class 2.

1864–65 United States Senate elections

Various dates
Class 2
24 of the 72 seats in the United States Senate (with special elections) 25 seats needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party   Leader Henry B. Anthony Party Republican Democratic Leader since March 4, 1863 Leader's seat Rhode Island Last election 32 seats 10 seats Seats before 31 10 Seats after 33 9 Seat change 2 1 Seats up 9 4 Races won 11 3   Third party Fourth party   Party Unconditional Union Union Last election 1 seat 5 seats Seats before 5 3 Seats after 4 2 Seat change 1 1 Seats up 1 1 Races won 0 0
Results of the elections:      Democratic gain      Democratic hold      Republican gain      Republican hold      Confederacy      Barred from being seated
Majority Party before election Republican Elected Majority Party Republican

The Republican Party gained two seats. Most of the Southern states were absent because of the Civil War.

Results summary

Senate party division, 39th Congress (1865–1867)

• Majority party: Republican (37)
• Minority party: Democratic (9)
• Other parties: Unconditional Unionist (1); Unionist (1)
• Vacant: (24)
• Total seats: 72

Change in Senate composition

Before the elections

V5 Seceded	V4 Seceded	V3 Seceded	V2	V1
V6 Seceded	V7 Seceded	V8 Seceded	V9 Seceded	V10 Seceded	V11 Seceded	D1	D2	D3	D4
UU5 Ran	U1	U2	U3 Retired	D10 Ran	D9 Retired	D8 Unknown	D7 Retired	D6	D5
UU4	UU3	UU2	UU1	R31 Ran	R30 Ran	R29 Retired	R28 Ran	R27 Ran	R26 Retired
Majority →									R25 Unknown
R16	R17	R18	R19	R20	R21	R22	R23 Ran	R24 Ran
R15	R14	R13	R12	R11	R10	R9	R8	R7	R6
V16	V15	V14	V13	V12	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5
V17	V18	V19	V20	V21

As a result of the elections

V5 Seceded	V4 Seceded	V3 Seceded	V2	V1
V6 Seceded	V7 Seceded	V8 Seceded	V9 Seceded	V10 Seceded	V11 Seceded	D1	D2	D3	D4
UU2	UU3	UU4	U1	U2	D9 Gain	D8 Hold	D7 Re-elected	D6	D5
UU1	R33 Gain	R32 Gain	R31 Re-elected new party	R30 Hold	R29 Hold	R28 Hold	R27 Re-elected	R26 Re-elected	R25 Re-elected
Majority →
R15	R16	R17	R18	R19	R20	R21	R22	R23 Re-elected	R24 Re-elected
R14	R13	R12	R11	R10	R9	R8	R7	R6	R5
V17	V16	V15	V14	V13	V12 U Loss	R1	R2	R3	R4
V18	V19	V20	V21	V22

Beginning of the next Congress

V6	V5	V4	V3	V2	V1
V7	V8	V9	V10	V11	D1	D2	D3	D4	D5
R36 Changed	R37 Changed	UU1	V13 UU Loss	U1	V12 D Loss	D9 Gain	D8	D7	D6
R35 New state	R34 New state	R33	R32	R31	R30	R29	R28	R27	R26
Majority →									R25
R16	R17	R18	R19	R20	R21	R22	R23	R24
R15	R14	R13	R12	R11	R10	R9	R8	R7	R6
V18	V17	V16	V15	V14	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5
V19	V20	V21	V22	V23	V24

Key:	D# Democratic R# Republican UU# Unconditional Unionist U# Unionist V# Vacant

Race summaries

Elections during the preceding Congress

Special elections were held to fill vacancies in the 38th United States Congress and two new seats created by the admission of Nevada.

State	Incumbent			This race
	Senator	Party	Electoral history	Results	Candidates
Maryland (Class 3)	Thomas Holliday Hicks	Union	1862 (ap.)	Interim appointee elected with a new party January 11, 1864. Union gain.	First ballot (January 8, 1864) ▌Y Thomas Holliday Hicks (Union) 67 ▌ Samuel Hambleton (Democratic) 18 ▌ Thomas A. Spence (Union) 2 Blank 4
Delaware (Class 1)	James A. Bayard Jr.	Democratic	1851 1857 1863	Incumbent resigned January 29, 1864. New senator elected January 29, 1864. Democratic hold.	First ballot (January 29, 1864) ▌Y George R. Riddle (Democratic) 18 Blank 8
Arkansas (Class 3)	Vacant			Seat vacant since July 11, 1861. Winner not seated.	Fourth ballot (May 2, 1864) ▌Y Elisha Baxter (Unknown) 38 ▌William M. Fishback (Unknown) 34 ▌Jesse Shortis (Unknown) 2
Arkansas (Class 2)	Vacant			Seat vacant since July 11, 1861. Winner not seated.	Twenty-first ballot (May 5, 1864) ▌Y William M. Fishback (Unknown) 41 ▌William D. Snow (Unknown) 16 ▌Solomon Clark (Unknown) 5 ▌L. C. White (Unknown) 5 ▌William J. Patton (Unknown) 4 Scattering 2
Louisiana (Class 3)	Vacant			Seat vacant since February 4, 1861. Winner not seated.	First ballot (October 10, 1864) ▌Y R. King Cutler (Free State Republican) 77 ▌Cuthbert Bullitt (Conservative Union) 20 ▌Edward H. Durell (Free State Republican) 7
Louisiana (Class 2)	Vacant			Seat vacant since March 14, 1861. Winner not seated.	First ballot (October 10, 1864) ▌Y Charles Smith (Free State Republican) 62 ▌Cuthbert Bullitt (Conservative Union) 35 ▌Edward H. Durell (Free State Republican) 7
Nevada 2 seats	None (new state)			Seat created October 31, 1864. Union gain.	First ballot (December 15, 1864) ▌Y William M. Stewart (Union) 33 ▌James W. Nye (Union) 23 ▌Charles E. DeLong (Union) 23 ▌Bernard C. Whitman (Unknown) 13 ▌John Cradlebaugh (Independent Unionist) 12
				Seat created October 31, 1864. Union gain.	Ninth ballot (December 16, 1864) ▌Y James W. Nye (Union) 29 ▌Charles E. DeLong (Union) 16 ▌John Cradlebaugh (Independent Unionist) 7
Virginia (Class 1)	Lemuel J. Bowden	Union	1863	Incumbent died January 2, 1864. Winner not seated. Union loss.	First ballot (December 8, 1864) ▌Y Joseph Segar (Union) 11 ▌John C. Underwood (Union) 3 ▌S. Ferguson Beach (Union) 1 ▌Lewis McKenzie (Union) 1
Maine (Class 2)	Nathan A. Farwell	Union	1864 (ap.)	Appointee re-elected.	First ballot (January 11, 1865) ▌Y Nathan A. Farwell (Union) 118 HTooltip Maine House of Representatives; 27 STooltip Maine Senate ▌William P. Haines (Democratic) 21 HTooltip Maine House of Representatives; 0 STooltip Maine Senate

Elections leading to the next Congress

These senators were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1865.

State	Incumbent			This race
	Senator	Party	Electoral history	Results	Candidates
Alabama	Vacant			Seat vacant since March 14, 1861. Winner not seated.	First ballot (November 28, 1865) ▌Y Lewis E. Parsons (Unknown) 116 Scattering 4
Arkansas	Vacant			Seat vacant since July 11, 1861. Winner not seated.	Third ballot (December 30, 1864) ▌Y William D. Snow (Unknown) 35 ▌Orville Jennings (Unknown) 23 Scattering 2
Delaware	Willard Saulsbury Sr.	Democratic	1858	Incumbent re-elected.	First ballot (January 24, 1865) ▌Y Willard Saulsbury (Democratic) 19 ▌Edward G. Bradford (Union) 10
Georgia	Vacant			Seat vacant since March 14, 1861. No election.	None.
Illinois	William Alexander Richardson	Democratic	1863 (sp.)	Incumbent retired. Union gain.	First ballot (January 4, 1865) ▌Y Richard Yates (Union) 64 ▌James C. Robinson (Democratic) 43
Iowa	James W. Grimes	Republican	1858	Incumbent re-elected.	First ballot (January 16, 1864) ▌Y James W. Grimes (Republican) 128 ▌John D. Jennings (Democratic) 5 ▌James M. Love (Democratic) 1
Kansas	Jim Lane	Republican	1861	Incumbent re-elected.	First ballot (January 12, 1865) ▌Y Jim Lane (Republican) 82 ▌William A. Phillips (Republican) 7 ▌William C. McDowell (Democratic) 4 ▌Claudius B. Brace (Unknown) 2 ▌William Y. Roberts (Republican) 2 ▌B. M. Hughes (Unknown) 1
Kentucky	Lazarus W. Powell	Democratic	1858	Incumbent retired. Democratic hold.	First ballot (January 11, 1865) ▌Y James Guthrie (Democratic) 65 ▌Lovell Rousseau (Unconditional Union) 56 ▌John B. Huston (Democratic) 3 ▌William O. Butler (Democratic) 2 ▌Landaff Andrews (Unknown) 1
Louisiana	Vacant			Seat vacant since February 4, 1861. Winner not seated.	First ballot (January 9, 1865) ▌Y Michael Hahn (Free State Republican) 92 ▌Charles Smith (Free State Republican) 2
Maine	Nathan A. Farwell	Union	1864 (ap.) 1865 (sp.)	Incumbent retired. Union hold.	First ballot (January 11, 1865) ▌Y William P. Fessenden (Union) 116 HTooltip Maine House of Representatives; 27 STooltip Maine Senate ▌William P. Haines (Democratic) 23 HTooltip Maine House of Representatives; 0 STooltip Maine Senate
Massachusetts	Henry Wilson	Republican	1855 (sp.) 1859	Incumbent re-elected.	First ballot (January 10 & 20, 1865) ▌Y Henry Wilson (Republican) 207 HTooltip Massachusetts House of Representatives; 37 STooltip Massachusetts Senate ▌John A. Andrew (Republican) 12 HTooltip Massachusetts House of Representatives; 3 STooltip Massachusetts Senate ▌Robert C. Winthrop (Democratic) 4 HTooltip Massachusetts House of Representatives; 0 STooltip Massachusetts Senate ▌Alexander Bullock (Republican) 1 HTooltip Massachusetts House of Representatives; 0 STooltip Massachusetts Senate ▌Charles G. Loring (Unknown) 1 HTooltip Massachusetts House of Representatives; 0 STooltip Massachusetts Senate
Michigan	Jacob M. Howard	Republican	1862 (sp.)	Incumbent re-elected.	First ballot (January 5, 1865) ▌Y Jacob M. Howard (Republican) 70 HTooltip Michigan House of Representatives; 27 STooltip Michigan Senate ▌George V. N. Lothrop (Democratic) 27 HTooltip Michigan House of Representatives; 3 STooltip Michigan Senate
Minnesota	Morton S. Wilkinson	Union	1859	Incumbent lost renomination. Union hold.	First ballot (January 10, 1865) ▌Y Daniel S. Norton (Union) 46 ▌James George (Democratic) 13
Mississippi	Vacant since January 12, 1861 when Albert G. Brown (D) withdrew.			Legislature failed to elect during Civil War and Reconstruction. Seat remained vacant until 1870.	None.
New Hampshire	John P. Hale	Republican	1846 1853 (retired) 1855 (special)	Incumbent retired. New senator elected in 1864. Republican hold.	▌Y Aaron H. Cragin (Republican) [data missing]
New Jersey	John C. Ten Eyck	Republican	1858	Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected in 1864. Democratic gain. Election was later disputed and seat declared vacant.	▌Y John P. Stockton (Democratic) ▌John C. Ten Eyck (Republican) [data missing]
North Carolina	Vacant since March 6, 1861 when Thomas Bragg (D) resigned.			Legislature failed to elect during Civil War and Reconstruction. Seat remained vacant until 1868.	None.
Oregon	Benjamin F. Harding	Democratic	1862 (special)	Incumbent retired. New senator elected in 1864. Republican gain.	▌Y George H. Williams (Republican) [data missing]
Rhode Island	Henry B. Anthony	Republican	1858	Incumbent re-elected in 1864.	▌Y Henry B. Anthony (Republican) [data missing]
South Carolina	Vacant since November 10, 1860 when James Chesnut Jr. (D) withdrew.			Legislature failed to elect during Civil War and Reconstruction. Seat remained vacant until 1868.	None.
Tennessee	Vacant since March 3, 1861 when Alfred O. P. Nicholson (D) withdrew.			Legislature failed to elect during Civil War and Reconstruction. Seat remained vacant until 1866.	None.
Texas	Vacant since July 11, 1861 when John Hemphill (D) was expelled.			Legislature failed to elect during Civil War and Reconstruction. Seat remained vacant until 1870.	None.
Virginia	John S. Carlile	Democratic	1861	Incumbent retired. Winner not seated. Union loss.	First ballot (December 9, 1864) ▌Y John C. Underwood (Union) 12 ▌S. Ferguson Beach (Union) 2 ▌Lewis McKenzie (Union) 2
West Virginia	Waitman T. Willey	Unconditional Unionist	1863	Incumbent re-elected in 1865 as a Republican. Republican gain.	▌Y Waitman T. Willey (Republican) 53 votes ▌Lee Roy Kramer (Republican) 7 votes ▌Daniel Polsley (Republican) 6 votes ▌Archibald Campbell (Republican) 2 votes ▌David Hunter Strother (Unknown) 1 vote

Special elections during the next Congress

State	Incumbent			This race
	Senator	Party	Electoral history	Results	Candidates
Maryland (Class 3)	Vacant			Incumbent died February 14, 1865. New senator elected March 9, 1865. Union hold.	First ballot (March 9, 1865) ▌Y John Creswell (Union) 63 ▌Cathrill Humphries (Unknown) 2 ▌James E. Pilkington (Unknown) 2 ▌A. J. Willis (Unknown) 1 Blank 25
Alabama (Class 3)	Vacant			Seat vacant since January 21, 1861. Winner not seated.	Fourth ballot (November 28, 1865) ▌Y George S. Houston (Unknown) 64 ▌John Forsyth Jr. (Unknown) 28 ▌A. B. Cooper (Unknown) 18 ▌Thomas H. Watts (Unknown) 17
Florida (Class 1)	Vacant			Seat vacant since March 14, 1861. Winner not seated.	First ballot (December 28, 1865) ▌Y Wilkinson Call (Unknown) 51 ▌James Patton Anderson (Unknown) 21 Blank 4
Florida (Class 3)	Vacant			Seat vacant since January 21, 1861. Winner not seated.	Ninth ballot (December 28, 1865) ▌Y William Marvin (Unknown) 49 ▌Jesse J. Finley (Unknown) 24 Blank 3

Alabama

See also: List of United States senators from Alabama

Two elections were held in Alabama, due to the withdrawal of the state's senators during the Civil War. The senators from the states of the former Confederacy were not seated by the Senate.

Alabama (regular)

Alabama election

November 28, 1865
Members of the Alabama Legislature Majority of voting members needed to win
Nominee Lewis E. Parsons John Archibald Campbell John T. Morgan 1st ballot 116 (96.7%) 1 (0.8%) 1 (0.8%)   Nominee F. W. Sykes Thomas H. Watts 1st ballot 1 (0.8%) 1 (0.8%)
Senator before election None (vacant from March 14, 1861) Elected Senator Lewis E. Parsons (not seated)

Two-term Democrat Clement Claiborne Clay withdrew from the Senate on March 14, 1861, following the secession of Alabama.

The Alabama Legislature met on November 28, 1865, to hold an election for the unexpired term. Lewis E. Parsons defeated four other candidates on the first ballot.

Alabama (special)

Alabama special election

November 28, 1865
Members of the Alabama Legislature Majority of voting members needed to win
Nominee George S. Houston John Forsyth Jr. 1st ballot 61 (47.3%) 34 (26.4%) 4th ballot 64 (50.4%) 28 (22.0%)   Nominee A. B. Cooper Thomas H. Watts 1st ballot 34 (26.4%) — 4th ballot 18 (14.2%) 17 (13.4%)
Senator before election None (vacant from January 21, 1861) Elected Senator George S. Houston (not seated)

Two-term Democrat Benjamin Fitzpatrick withdrew from the Senate on January 21, 1861, following the secession of Alabama.

The Alabama Legislature met on November 28, 1865, to hold an election for the unexpired term. George S. Houston defeated John Forsyth Jr. on the fourth ballot.

Arkansas

See also: List of United States senators from Arkansas

Two special elections were held in Arkansas, in addition to the regular election for the Class 2 seat, due to the expulsion of the state's senators during the Civil War. The winners were not seated by the Senate.

Arkansas (Class 3 special)

Arkansas special election (Class 3)

May 2, 1864
Members of the Arkansas General Assembly Majority of voting members needed to win
Nominee Elisha Baxter William Meade Fishback Horace Bull Allis 1st ballot 17 (23.3%) 29 (39.7%) 7 (9.6%) 4th ballot 38 (51.4%) 34 (45.9%) —   Nominee William D. Snow John Kirkwood 1st ballot 5 (6.8%) 4 (5.5%) 4th ballot — —
Senator before election None (vacant from July 11, 1861) Elected Senator Elisha Baxter (not seated)

One-term Democrat Charles B. Mitchel was expelled in 1861.

The Arkansas General Assembly met on May 2, 1864, to hold a special election for the unexpired term. Elisha Baxter defeated William Meade Fishback on the fourth ballot.

Arkansas (Class 2 special)

Arkansas special election (Class 2)

May 3–5, 1864
Members of the Arkansas General Assembly Majority of voting members needed to win
Nominee William Meade Fishback William D. Snow Solomon Clark 21st ballot 41 (56.2%) 16 (21.9%) 5 (6.8%)   Nominee L. C. White William J. Patton 21st ballot 5 (6.8%) 4 (5.5%)
Senator before election None (vacant from July 11, 1861) Elected Senator William Meade Fishback (not seated)

Three-term Democrat William K. Sebastian was expelled in 1861.

The Arkansas General Assembly met from May 3–5, 1864, to hold a special election for the unexpired term. William Meade Fishback defeated William D. Snow on the 21st ballot.

Arkansas (regular)

Arkansas election

December 30, 1864
Members of the Arkansas General Assembly Majority of voting members needed to win
Nominee William D. Snow Orville Jennings John Kirkwood 1st ballot 21 (35.0%) 10 (16.7%) 11 (18.3%) 3rd ballot 35 (58.3%) 23 (38.3%) —   Nominee James M. Johnson Oliver P. Snyder Isaac Murphy 1st ballot 8 (13.3%) 6 (10.0%) 3 (5.0%) 3rd ballot — — —
Senator before election None (vacant from July 11, 1861) Elected Senator William Meade Fishback (not seated)

William Meade Fishback was elected in 1864, but was not seated by the Senate.

The Arkansas General Assembly met on December 30, 1864, to hold an election for the next term. William D. Snow defeated Orville Jennings on the third ballot.

Delaware

Two elections were held in Delaware, due to the resignation of James A. Bayard, Jr.

Delaware (special)

Main article: 1864 United States Senate special election in Delaware

Delaware special election

January 29, 1864
Members of the Delaware General Assembly Majority of voting members needed to win
Nominee George R. Riddle Blank Party Democratic 1st ballot 18 (69.2%) 8 (30.8%)
Senator before election James A. Bayard Jr. Democratic Elected Senator George R. Riddle Democratic

Three-term Democrat James A. Bayard Jr. resigned on January 29, 1864.

The Delaware General Assembly met on January 29, 1864, to hold an election for the unexpired term. The Democratic candidate George R. Riddle was elected on the first ballot. The Union members of the legislature cast blank ballots.

Delaware (regular)

Main article: 1865 United States Senate election in Delaware

Delaware election

January 24, 1865
Members of the Delaware General Assembly Majority of voting members needed to win
Nominee Willard Saulsbury Sr. Edward Green Bradford Party Democratic Union 1st ballot 19 (65.5%) 10 (34.5%)
Senator before election Willard Saulsbury Sr. Democratic Elected Senator Willard Saulsbury Sr. Democratic

One-term Democrat Willard Saulsbury Sr. was elected in 1858.

The Delaware General Assembly met on January 24, 1865, to hold an election for the next term. Saulsbury defeated the Union candidate Edward Green Bradford on the first ballot.

Florida (specials)

See also: List of United States senators from Florida

Two special elections were held in Florida, due to the withdrawal of the state's senators during the Civil War. The winners were not seated by the Senate.

Florida (Class 1 special)

Florida special election (Class 1)

December 28, 1865
Members of the Florida Legislature Majority of voting members needed to win
Nominee Wilkinson Call James Patton Anderson 1st ballot 51 (67.1%) 21 (27.6%)
Senator before election None (vacant from March 14, 1861) Elected Senator Wilkinson Call (not seated)

Two-term Democrat Stephen Mallory withdrew from the Senate on March 14, 1861, following the secession of Florida.

The Florida Legislature met on December 29, 1865, to hold a special election for the unexpired term. Wilkinson Call defeated James Patton Anderson on the first ballot.

Florida (Class 3 special)

Florida special election (Class 3)

December 28, 1865
Members of the Florida Legislature Majority of voting members needed to win
Nominee William Marvin Jesse J. Finley B. D. White 1st ballot 21 (28.4%) 10 (13.5%) 23 (31.1%) 9th ballot 49 (64.5%) 24 (32.4%) —   Nominee Edward Hopkins James A. Wiggins 1st ballot 13 (17.6%) 7 (9.4%) 9th ballot — —
Senator before election None (vacant from January 21, 1861) Elected Senator William Marvin (not seated)

One-term Democrat David Levy Yulee withdrew from the Senate on January 21, 1861, following the secession of Florida.

The Florida Legislature met on December 29, 1865, to hold a special election for the unexpired term. William Marvin defeated Jesse J. Finley on the ninth ballot.

Georgia

See also: List of United States senators from Georgia

Georgia election

No election

Senator before election None (vacant from March 14, 1861) Elected Senator None

Two-term Democrat Robert Toombs withdrew from the Senate on March 14, 1861, following the secession of Georgia. The Georgia General Assembly did not hold an election for the next term, and the seat remained vacant until 1871.

Illinois

See also: List of United States senators from Illinois

Illinois election

January 4, 1865
Members of the Illinois General Assembly Majority of voting members needed to win
Nominee Richard Yates Sr. James Carroll Robinson Party Union Democratic 1st ballot 64 (59.8%) 43 (40.2%)
Senator before election William A. Richardson Democratic Elected Senator Richard Yates Sr. Union

Incumbent Democrat William A. Richardson was elected in 1863.

The Union members of the legislature held a caucus in advance of the election. Richard Yates Sr. defeated Elihu B. Washburne with 38 votes to Washburne's 22; John M. Palmer and John A. Logan each had two votes.

The Illinois General Assembly met on January 4, 1865, to hold an election for the next term. Yates defeated the Democratic candidate James Carroll Robinson on the first ballot.

Iowa

See also: List of United States senators from Iowa

Iowa election

January 16, 1864
Members of the Iowa General Assembly Majority of voting members needed to win
Nominee James W. Grimes John D. Jennings Party Republican Democratic 1st ballot 128 (95.5%) 5 (3.7%)
Senator before election James W. Grimes Republican Elected Senator James W. Grimes Republican

One-term Republican James W. Grimes was elected in 1858.

Republicans won a landslide victory in the 1863 state elections. The upcoming senatorial election was an issue during the campaign. Grimes was broadly popular with the public, and Republican members of the incoming legislature were pledged to vote for his re-election.

The Iowa General Assembly met on January 16, 1864, to hold an election for the next term. Grimes defeated the Democratic candidate John D. Jennings on the first ballot. One Democratic member voted for James M. Love.

Kansas

See also: List of United States senators from Kansas

Kansas election

January 12, 1865
Members of the Kansas Legislature Majority of voting members needed to win
Nominee Jim Lane William A. Phillips Party Republican Republican 1st ballot 82 (83.7%) 7 (8.14%)
Senator before election Jim Lane Republican Elected Senator Jim Lane Republican

One-term Republican Jim Lane was elected in 1861.

Lane's controversial leadership split the Kansas Republican Party, leading Anti-Lane Republicans to organize the Union Party in 1862. Although Lane's term would not end for more than a year, Anti-Lane legislators met on February 9, 1864, to hold an election for the next term, in an attempt to force his departure. Thomas Carney was elected on the first ballot with 68 votes, to three spoilt votes and 27 abstentions. Lane's allies protested that the early election was illegal, but a confrontation was averted when Carney declined the office.

Lane's popularity rebounded following the attempted election, as the Union Party's fortunes similarly declined. The senator was credited with the successful response to Price's Missouri Expedition in September 1864, which saw fighting along the Kansas-Missouri border. Republicans swept the 1864 elections in Kansas; the large Republican legislative majority and Lane's recently burnished military record virtually assured his re-election.

The Kansas Legislature met again on January 12, 1865, to hold an election for the next term. Lane defeated William A. Phillips on the first ballot.

Kentucky

Main article: 1865 United States Senate election in Kentucky

See also: List of United States senators from Kentucky

Kentucky election

January 11, 1865
Members of the Kentucky General Assembly Majority of voting members needed to win
Nominee James Guthrie Lovell Rousseau Party Democratic Unconditional Union 1st ballot 65 (51.2%) 56 (44.1%)
Senator before election Lazarus W. Powell Democratic Elected Senator James Guthrie Democratic

One-term Democrat Lazarus W. Powell was elected in 1858.

The Kentucky General Assembly met on January 11, 1865, to hold an election for the next term. The Democratic candidate James Guthrie defeated the Unconditional Union candidate Lovell Rousseau on the first ballot.

Louisiana

See also: List of United States Senators from Louisiana

Two special elections were held in Louisiana, in addition to the regular election for the Class 2 seat, due to the withdrawal of the state's senators during the Civil War. The winners were not seated by the Senate.

Louisiana (Class 3 special)

Louisiana special election (Class 3)

October 10, 1864
Members of the Louisiana State Legislature Majority of voting members needed to win
Nominee R. King Cutler Cuthbert Bullitt Edward Henry Durell Party Free State Republican Conservative Union Free State Republican 1st ballot 77 (74.0%) 20 (19.2%) 7 (6.7%)
Senator before election None (vacant since February 4, 1861) Elected Senator R. King Cutler (not seated) Free State Republican

One-term Democrat John Slidell resigned in 1861.

The Louisiana State Legislature met on October 10, 1864, to hold a special election for the unexpired term. R. King Cutler defeated Cuthbert Bullitt and Edward Henry Durell on the first ballot. Cutler and Durell were Free State Republicans, while Bullitt was a Conservative Unionist.

Louisiana (Class 2 special)

Louisiana special election (Class 2)

October 10, 1864
Members of the Louisiana State Legislature Majority of voting members needed to win
Nominee Charles Smith Cuthbert Bullitt Edward Henry Durell Party Free State Republican Conservative Union Free State Republican 1st ballot 62 (59.6%) 35 (33.6%) 7 (6.7%)
Senator before election None (vacant since March 14, 1861) Elected Senator Charles Smith (not seated) Free State Republican

Two-term Democrat Judah P. Benjamin withdrew from the Senate in 1861.

The Louisiana State Legislature met on October 10, 1864, to hold a special election for the unexpired term. Charles defeated Cuthbert Bullitt and Edward Henry Durell on the first ballot. Smith and Durell were Free State Republicans, while Bullitt was a Conservative Unionist.

Louisiana (regular)

Louisiana election

January 9, 1865
Members of the Louisiana State Legislature Majority of voting members needed to win
Nominee Michael Hahn Charles Smith Party Free State Republican Free State Republican 1st ballot 92 (97.9%) 2 (2.1%)
Senator before election None (vacant since March 14, 1861) Elected Senator Michael Hahn (not seated) Free State Republican

Free State Republican Charles Smith was elected in 1864, but was not seated by the Senate.

The Louisiana State Legislature met on January 9, 1865, to hold an election for the next term. Michael Hahn defeated Smith on the first ballot. Both candidates were Free State Republicans.

Maine

See also: List of United States Senators from Maine

Two elections were held in Maine, due to the resignation of William P. Fessenden.

Maine (regular)

Maine election

January 11, 1865
Members of the Maine Legislature Majority in both houses needed to win
Nominee William P. Fessenden William P. Haines Party Union Democratic House 116 (83.4%) 23 (16.5%) Senate 27 (100.0%) —
Senator before election Nathan A. Farwell Union Elected Senator William P. Fessenden Union

Incumbent Unionist Nathan A. Farwell was appointed in 1864.

The Senate and the House of Representatives met separately on January 11, 1865, to hold an election for the next term. Union candidate William P. Fessenden defeated Democratic candidate William P. Haines on the first ballot.

Maine (special)

Main article: 1865 United States Senate special election in Maine

Maine election

January 11, 1865
Members of the Maine Legislature Majority in both houses needed to win
Nominee Nathan A. Farwell William P. Haines Party Union Democratic House 118 (84.9%) 21 (15.1%) Senate 27 (100.0%) —
Senator before election Nathan A. Farwell Union Elected Senator Nathan A. Farwell Union

Incumbent Unionist Nathan A. Farwell was appointed in 1864.

The Senate and the House of Representatives met separately on January 11, 1865, to hold an election for the unexpired term. Farwell defeated Democratic candidate William P. Haines on the first ballot.

Maryland (specials)

See also: List of United States senators from Maryland

There were two elections in Maryland, due to the deaths of James Pearce and Thomas Holliday Hicks.

Maryland (1864 special)

1864 Maryland special election

January 8, 1864
Members of the Maryland General Assembly Majority of voting members needed to win
Nominee Thomas Holliday Hicks Samuel Hambleton Party Union Democratic 1st ballot 67 (73.6%) 18 (19.8%)
Senator before election Thomas Holliday Hicks Union Elected Senator Thomas Holliday Hicks Union

Incumbent Unionist Thomas Holliday Hicks was appointed in 1862 to fill the vacancy created by the death of James Pearce.

The Union members of the legislature held a caucus in advance of the election. Hicks, a recent convert to abolitionism, was opposed by radical candidate Thomas A. Spence. Hicks defeated Spence on the first ballot.

The Maryland General Assembly met on January 8, 1864, to hold a special election for the unexpired term. Hicks defeated the Democratic candidate Samuel Hambleton on the first ballot.

Maryland (1865 special)

1865 Maryland special election

March 9, 1865
Members of the Maryland General Assembly Majority of voting members needed to win
Nominee John Creswell Blank Party Union 1st ballot 63 (67.7%) 25 (26.9%)
Senator before election Vacant Elected Senator John Creswell Union

Hicks died in office on February 14, 1865.

The Union members of the legislature held a caucus in advance of the election. John Cresswell was nominated on the first ballot with 43 votes to 22 for other candidates. Creswell, an Unconditional Unionist and protege of the Radical leader Henry Winter Davis, was opposed by supporters of Montgomery Blair, the leader of the Conservative Unionists. The Conservatives attempted to form a coalition with the Maryland Democratic Party for the senatorial election, but the Democratic legislators declined to support Blair, instead casting blank votes all through the proceedings.

The Maryland General Assembly met on March 9, 1865, to hold a special election for the unexpired term. Creswell was elected on the first ballot.

Massachusetts

Main article: 1865 United States Senate election in Massachusetts

See also: List of United States senators from Massachusetts

Massachusetts election

January 10 & 20, 1865
Members of the Massachusetts General Court Majority in both houses needed to win
Nominee Henry Wilson John Albion Andrew Party Republican Republican House 207 (92.0%) 12 (5.3%) Senate 37 (92.5%) 3 (7.5%)
Senator before election Henry Wilson Republican Elected Senator Henry Wilson Republican

Two-term Republican Henry Wilson was re-elected in 1859.

Wilson, a radical Republican, faced a challenge by John Albion Andrew, the moderate Republican governor of Massachusetts. The rift between Andrew and Wilson's Senate colleague, Charles Sumner, threatened to split the Massachusetts Republican Party, to the benefit of conservatives in the Republican–Union coalition. Andrew's candidacy attracted minimal support from Republicans, however; his allies' efforts to unseat Wilson were half-hearted, and few Republican legislators could have been elected had their opposition to Wilson's re-election been known.

The Senate and the House of Representatives met separately on January 10 and 20, 1865, respectively, to hold an election for the next term. Wilson defeated Andrew and Robert C. Winthrop on the first ballot.

Michigan

Main article: 1865 United States Senate election in Michigan

See also: List of United States senators from Michigan

Michigan election

January 5, 1865
Members of the Michigan Legislature Majority in both houses needed to win
Nominee Jacob M. Howard George V. N. Lothrop Party Republican Democratic House 70 (72.2%) 27 (27.8%) Senate 27 (30.0%) 3 (10.0%)
Senator before election Jacob M. Howard Republican Elected Senator Jacob M. Howard Republican

Incumbent Republican Jacob M. Howard was elected in 1862.

The Republican members of the legislature held a caucus on January 4, 1865. Howard defeated Austin Blair on the first ballot with 56 votes to Blair's 42.

The Senate and the House of Representatives met separately on January 5, 1865, to hold an election for the next term. Howard defeated Democratic candidate George V. N. Lothrop on the first ballot.

Minnesota

See also: List of United States senators from Minnesota

Minnesota election

January 10, 1865
Members of the Minnesota Legislature Majority of voting members needed to win
Nominee Daniel Sheldon Norton James George Party Union Democratic 1st ballot 46 (78.0%) 13 (22.0%)
Senator before election Morton S. Wilkinson Union Elected Senator Daniel Sheldon Norton Union

One-term Unionist Morton S. Wilkinson was elected in 1859.

The Union members of the legislature held a caucus on January 9, 1865. Wilkinson, a radical Republican, was opposed by conservative Republicans and War Democrats in the Union coalition. Six candidates challenged Wilkinson in the caucus, resulting in a protracted struggle for the nomination. War Democrat Daniel Sheldon Norton defeated Wilkinson on the 32nd ballot.

The Minnesota Legislature met on January 10, 1865, to hold an election for the next term. Norton defeated the Democratic candidate James George on the first ballot.

Nevada

See also: List of United States Senators from Nevada

Nevada election

December 15–16, 1864
Members of the Nevada Legislature Majority of voting members needed to win
Nominee William Morris Stewart James W. Nye Charles E. DeLong Party Union Union Union 1st ballot 33 (63.5%) 23 (44.2%) 23 (44.2%) 9th ballot Y 29 (55.8%) 16 (30.8%)   Nominee John Cradlebaugh Bernard C. Whitman Party Independent Unionist 1st ballot 12 (23.1%) 13 (25.0%) 9th ballot 7 (13.5%) —
Elected Senator William Morris Stewart (Class 1) James W. Nye (Class 3) Union

Nevada elected two senators following its admission on October 31, 1864.

The Union Party won a landslide victory in the first state elections, electing the governor, U.S. representative, all but two seats in the Nevada Legislature. The overwhelming National Union majority in the legislature ensured that two Unionists would be chosen as the state's first U.S. senators.

The Nevada Legislature met on December 15 and 16, 1864, to hold elections for both seats. Members voted for two candidates, with 27 votes necessary for election. William Morris Stewart was elected on the first ballot; no other candidate had a majority, requiring several additional rounds of voting.

On subsequent rounds, each member cast one vote. James W. Nye defeated Charles E. DeLong on the ninth ballot.

Virginia

See also: List of United States senators from Virginia

There were two elections in Virginia, due to the death of Lemuel J. Bowden. The winners were not seated by the Senate.

Virginia (special)

Virginia special election

December 8, 1864
Members of the Restored Virginia General Assembly Majority of voting members needed to win
Nominee Joseph Segar John Curtiss Underwood Party Union Union 1st ballot 11 (68.8%) 3 (18.8%)   Nominee S. Ferguson Beach Lewis McKenzie Party Union Union 1st ballot 1 (6.2%) 1 (6.2%)
Senator before election Lemuel J. Bowden Union Elected Senator Joseph Segar Union

Bowden died on January 2, 1864, less than a year into his six-year term.

The Restored Virginia General Assembly met on December 8, 1864, to hold a special election for the unexpired term. Union candidate Joseph Segar defeated John Curtiss Underwood, S. Ferguson Beach, and Lewis McKenzie on the first ballot.

Virginia (regular)

Virginia election

December 9, 1864
Members of the Restored Virginia General Assembly Majority of voting members needed to win
Nominee John Curtiss Underwood S. Ferguson Beach Lewis McKenzie Party Union Union Union 1st ballot 12 (75.0%) 2 (12.5%) 2 (12.5%)
Senator before election John S. Carlile Union Elected Senator John Curtiss Underwood Union

One-term Unionist John S. Carlile was elected in 1861.

The Restored Virginia General Assembly met on December 9, 1864, to hold a special election for the unexpired term. Union candidate John Curtiss Underwood defeated S. Ferguson Beach and Lewis McKenzie on the first ballot.

West Virginia

Incumbent Waitman T. Willey was re-elected by the legislature to his first full term as United States Senator, with Willey being elected as a Republican. Willey would serve his term until 1871.

1865 United States Senate election in West Virginia

January 31, 1865
Needed to win: Majority of votes cast jointly by the Legislature 69 votes cast; 35 votes needed
Candidate Waitman Willey Party Republican First ballot 53 votes 76.8%
U.S. senator before election Waitman Willey Unconditional Union Elected U.S. senator Waitman Willey Republican

Willey was the only candidate to be formally nominated, though attempted nominations were made of Archibald Campbell and House Speaker Lee Roy Kramer. Campbell's nomination was promptly withdrawn, and Kramer declined his.

Party		Candidate	1st Ballot
			Votes	%
	Republican	Waitman Willey	53	76.8
	Republican	Lee Roy Kramer	7	10.1
	Republican	Daniel Polsley	6	8.7
	Republican	Archibald Campbell	2	2.9
	Republican	David Hunter Strother	1	1.4
Total			69	100
Needed to win			35	>50

See also

• 1864 United States elections
  • 1864 United States presidential election
  • 1864–65 United States House of Representatives elections
• 38th United States Congress
• 39th United States Congress

References

• Party Division in the Senate, 1789-Present, via Senate.gov

Bibliography

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