The 1868–69 United States House of Representatives elections were held on various dates in various states between June 1, 1868, and August 2, 1869. Each state set its own date for its elections to the House of Representatives before or after the first session of the 41st United States Congress convened on March 4, 1869. They coincided with the 1868 United States presidential election, which was won by Ulysses S. Grant. Elections were held for all 243 seats, representing 37 states. All of the former Confederate states were represented in Congress for the first time since they seceded from the Union.

Quick Facts All 243 seats in the United States House of Representatives 122 seats needed for a majority, Majority party ...
1868–69 United States House of Representatives elections

 1866 & 1867 June 1, 1868 – August 2, 1869[lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2] 1870 & 1871 

All 243[lower-alpha 3] seats in the United States House of Representatives
122 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader James Blaine Michael Kerr
Party Republican Democratic
Leader's seat Maine 3rd Indiana 3rd
Last election 175 seats 47 seats
Seats won 171 67
Seat change Decrease 4 Increase 20
Popular vote 3,050,307 2,598,042
Percentage 51.81% 44.13%
Swing Decrease 3.55% Increase 3.44%

  Third party Fourth party
 
Party Conservative Independent
Last election 2 seats 2 seats
Seats won 5 0
Seat change Increase 3 Decrease 2
Popular vote 187,553 58,332
Percentage 3.19% 0.99%
Swing Increase 1.19% Decrease 0.77%

Map of U.S. House elections results from 1868 elections for 41st Congress

Speaker before election

Theodore M. Pomeroy
Republican

Elected Speaker

James Blaine
Republican

Close

The Democrats gained 20 seats, but Grant's Republican Party retained a commanding majority in the Reconstruction era following the American Civil War, holding onto a firm legitimacy through an association with victory. As more Southern states exited Reconstruction, more Democratic seats appeared in the South. However, Democratic gains in the South were limited, as the Republican power-brokers of Reconstruction held a great deal of influence. The small Conservative Party of Virginia also picked up several seats in Virginia, as it had support among wealthy Southern leaders who wanted to increase the region's power.

Election summary

Mississippi, Texas, and Virginia were readmitted during this Congress, leaving Congress without vacant State delegations for the first time since 1860. Georgia had been partially readmitted in the previous Congress, but was not initially admitted to the 41st Congress. With Georgia's final readmission in 1870, all former Confederate states were once more represented in Congress.

67 5 171
Democratic [lower-alpha 4] Republican
More information State, Type ...
State Type Total
seats
Democratic Conservative Republican
Seats Change Seats Change Seats Change
Alabama[lower-alpha 5] District 6 2 Increase 2 0 Steady 4 Decrease 2
Arkansas District 3 1 Increase 1 0 Steady 2 Decrease 1
California District 3 2 Steady 0 Steady 1 Steady
Connecticut[lower-alpha 5] District 4 1 Decrease 2 0 Steady 3 Increase 2
Delaware At-large 1 1 Steady 0 Steady 0 Steady
Florida[lower-alpha 6] At-large 1 0 Steady 0 Steady 1 Steady
Georgia[lower-alpha 7] District 7[lower-alpha 8] 4 Increase 2 0 Steady 3 Decrease 1
Illinois District
+ 1 at-large
14 4 Increase 1 0 Steady 10 Decrease 1
Indiana[lower-alpha 6] District 11 4 Increase 1 0 Steady 7 Decrease 1
Iowa[lower-alpha 6] District 6 0 Steady 0 Steady 6 Steady
Kansas At-large 1 0 Steady 0 Steady 1 Steady
Kentucky District 9[lower-alpha 8] 9 Increase 2 0 Steady 0 Decrease 1
Louisiana District 5 0 Decrease 1 0 Steady 5 Increase 1
Maine[lower-alpha 6] District 5 0 Steady 0 Steady 5 Steady
Maryland District 5 5 Increase 2 0 Decrease 1 0 Decrease 1
Massachusetts District 10 0 Steady 0 Steady 10 Steady
Michigan District 6 0 Steady 0 Steady 6 Steady
Minnesota District 2 1 Increase 1 0 Steady 1 Decrease 1
Mississippi[lower-alpha 7] District 5 0 Steady 0 Steady 5 Increase 5
Missouri District 9 2 Increase 1 0 Steady 7 Decrease 1
Nebraska[lower-alpha 6] At-large 1 0 Steady 0 Steady 1 Steady
Nevada At-large 1 0 Steady 0 Steady 1 Steady
New Hampshire[lower-alpha 5] District 3 0 Steady 0 Steady 3 Steady
New Jersey District 5 3 Increase 1 0 Steady 2 Decrease 1
New York District 31 12 Increase 2 0 Steady 19 Decrease 2
North Carolina District 7 1 Increase 1 0 Decrease 1 6 Steady
Ohio[lower-alpha 6] District 19 6 Increase 3 0 Steady 13 Decrease 3
Oregon[lower-alpha 6] At-large 1 1 Increase 1 0 Steady 0 Decrease 1
Pennsylvania[lower-alpha 6] District 24 6 Steady 0 Steady 18 Steady
Rhode Island District 2 0 Steady 0 Steady 2 Steady
South Carolina District 4 0 Steady 0 Steady 4 Steady
Tennessee District 8 0 Steady 0 Steady 8 Steady
Texas[lower-alpha 7] District 4 1 Increase 1 0 Steady 3 Increase 3
Vermont[lower-alpha 6] District 3 0 Steady 0 Steady 3 Steady
Virginia[lower-alpha 7] District 8 0 Steady 5 Increase 5 3 Increase 3
West Virginia[lower-alpha 6] District 3 0 Steady 0 Steady 3 Steady
Wisconsin District 6 1 Steady 0 Steady 5 Steady
Total[lower-alpha 3] 243 67
27.6%
Increase 22 5
2.1%
Increase 3 171
70.4%
Decrease 6
Close
Results shaded according to winning candidate's share of vote
More information Popular vote ...
Popular vote
Republican
51.81%
Democratic
44.13%
Conservative
3.19%
Independent
0.99%
Others
0.00%
Close
More information House seats ...
House seats
Republican
70.08%
Democratic
27.46%
Conservative
2.46%
Close

Election dates

Mississippi held rejected elections on July 1, 1868. New (accepted) elections were held December 1, 1869.

In 1845, Congress passed a law providing for a uniform nationwide date for choosing presidential electors. This law did not affect election dates for Congress, which remained within the jurisdiction of State governments, but over time, the States moved their congressional elections to that date. 1868 was the first year in which the majority of States (20 of 37) held their elections on that date. There were still 9 states which held elections before that date and 4 that held regular elections after that date, in addition to 4 readmitted states that held elections after that date.

Special elections

There were special elections in 1868 and 1869 to the 40th United States Congress and 41st United States Congress.

Special elections are sorted by date then district.

40th Congress

Readmission of state are treated here as regular (late) elections, not special elections.

More information District, Incumbent ...
District Incumbent This race
Representative Party First elected Results Candidates
Ohio 8 Cornelius S. Hamilton Republican 1866 Incumbent died December 22, 1867.
New member elected January 27, 1868.
Republican hold.
Winner was later re-elected to the next term; see below.
  • Green tickY John Beatty (Republican) 52.02%
  • Barnabus Burns (Democratic) 48.17%[1]
Pennsylvania 9 Thaddeus Stevens Republican 1848 Incumbent died August 11, 1868.
New member elected October 13, 1868.
Republican hold.
Winner was also elected to the next term; see below.
Pennsylvania 20 Darwin A. Finney Republican 1866 Incumbent died August 25, 1868.
New member elected October 13, 1868.
Republican hold.
Winner was not a candidate for the next term; see below.
Missouri 5 Joseph W. McClurg Republican 1862 Incumbent resigned in July 1868.
New member elected November 3, 1868.
Republican hold.
Winner was not a candidate for the next term; see below.
Arkansas 2 James M. Hinds Republican 1868 Incumbent died October 22, 1868.
New member elected on an unknown date.
Republican hold.
Winner was not elected to the next term; see below.
Close

41st Congress

Readmission of state are treated here as regular (late) elections, not special elections.

More information District, Incumbent ...
District Incumbent This race
Representative Party First elected Results Candidates
Massachusetts 7 George S. Boutwell Republican 1862 Incumbent resigned March 12, 1869, after being appointed Secretary of the Treasury.
New member elected November 2, 1869.
Republican hold.
Illinois 3 Elihu B. Washburne Republican 1852 Incumbent resigned March 6, 1869, to become U.S. Secretary of State.
New member elected December 6, 1869.
Republican hold.
Close

Alabama

1868 elections to finish the term

1869 elections to the next term

Arkansas

More information District, Incumbent ...
District Incumbent This race
Representative Party First elected Results Candidates[7]
Arkansas 1 None State readmitted.
Republican gain.
  • Green tickY Logan H. Roots (Republican) 50.6%
  • Charles S. Cameron (Democratic) 49.4%
Arkansas 2 None State readmitted.
Democratic gain.
Arkansas 3 None State readmitted.
Republican gain.
  • Green tickY Thomas Boles (Republican) 62.9%
  • L. B. Nash (Democratic) 37.1%
Close

California

Quick Facts All 3 seats, Majority party ...
California elections

 1867 November 3, 1868 1871 

All 3 seats
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Democratic Republican
Last election 2 1
Seats won 2 1
Seat change Steady Steady
Popular vote 54,548 53,873
Percentage 50.3% 49.7%

Thumb
  Democratic hold
  Republican hold
Close

California's delegation remained at two Democrats and one Republican.

More information District, Incumbent ...
District Incumbent This race
Representative Party First elected Results Candidates
California 1 Samuel Beach Axtell Democratic 1867 Incumbent re-elected.
California 2 William Higby Republican 1863 Incumbent lost renomination.
Republican hold.
  • Green tickY Aaron A. Sargent (Republican) 54.7%
  • James W. Coffroth (Democratic) 45.3%
California 3 James A. Johnson Democratic 1867 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY James A. Johnson (Democratic) 50.4%
  • Chancellor Hartson (Republican) 49.6%
Close

Colorado Territory

See non-voting delegates, below.

Dakota Territory

See non-voting delegates, below.

Connecticut

More information District, Incumbent ...
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[8]
Connecticut 1 Richard D. Hubbard Democratic 1867 Incumbent retired.
Republican gain.
Connecticut 2 Julius Hotchkiss Democratic 1867 Incumbent retired.
Republican gain.
Connecticut 3 Henry H. Starkweather Republican 1867 Incumbent re-elected.
Connecticut 4 William Barnum Democratic 1867 Incumbent re-elected.
Close

Delaware

Florida

Quick Facts Florida's single seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, Majority party ...
United States House of Representatives elections in Florida, 1868[9]

 1865 May 5, 1868 and
December 29, 1868
1870 

Florida's single seat in the U.S. House of Representatives
  Majority party Minority party Third party
 
Party Republican Democratic Independent
Seats won 1 0 0
Popular vote 14,108 7,915 2,276
Percentage 58.1% 32.6% 9.4%
Close

Florida had been unrepresented in Congress since January 21, 1861, when its sole member and both senators withdrew from Congress following the secession of Florida from the Union. Following the end of the Civil War, an election had been held in 1865, but it was rejected by Congress. In 1868, Congress readmitted Florida following Reconstruction.

Election to the current term

The first election, for the duration of the 40th congress, was held May 5, 1868.[10]

More information District, Incumbent ...
District Incumbent This race
Representative Party First elected Results Candidates
Florida at-large None State readmitted.
New member elected May 5, 1868 to finish the term and seated July 1, 1868.
Republican gain.[11]
Winner was later re-elected to the next term.
  • Green tickY Charles M. Hamilton (Republican) 58.1%
  • John Friend (Democratic) 32.6%
  • Liberty Billings (Independent) 9.4%
Close

Hamilton was seated on July 1, 1868,[11] during the 2nd session of the 40th Congress.

Election to the next term

Florida elected its one at-large member on December 29, 1868, re-electing Hamilton, who had just been elected in May to finish the current term.[12]

More information District, Incumbent ...
District Incumbent This race
Representative Party First elected Results Candidates
Florida at-large Charles M. Hamilton Republican 1868[lower-alpha 9] Re-elected
  • Green tickY Charles M. Hamilton (Republican) 56.4%
  • W. D. Barnes (Democratic) 38.5%
  • William U. Saunders (Independent) 5.1%
Close

Georgia

Idaho Territory

See non-voting delegates, below.

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

More information District, Incumbent ...
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Massachusetts 1 Thomas D. Eliot Republican 1858 Incumbent retired.
Republican hold.
  • Green tickY James Buffinton (Republican) 78.82%
  • Philander Cobb (Democratic) 21.18%
Massachusetts 2 Oakes Ames Republican 1862 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Oakes Ames (Republican) 71.80%
  • Edward Avery (Democratic) 28.20%
Massachusetts 3 Ginery Twichell Republican 1866 Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts 4 Samuel Hooper Republican 1861 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Samuel Hooper (Republican) 56.87%
  • Peter Harry (Democratic) 43.13%
Massachusetts 5 Benjamin Butler Republican 1866 Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts 6 Nathaniel P. Banks Republican 1865 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts 7 George S. Boutwell Republican 1862 Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts 8 George F. Hoar Republican 1862 Incumbent retired.
Republican hold.
  • Green tickY George F. Hoar (Republican) 74.20%
  • Henry H. Stevens (Democratic) 25.80%
Massachusetts 9 William B. Washburn Republican 1862 Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts 10 Henry L. Dawes Republican 1856 Incumbent re-elected.[13]
Close

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

1868 rejected elections

Mississippi elected its members July 1, 1868, but that election was later rejected by the House.

More information District, Incumbent ...
District Incumbent This race
Representative Party First elected Results Candidates
Mississippi 1 None, seat not admitted New member elected, but election rejected by the House.
  • Green tickY Charles Townsend (Democratic) 65.45%
  • Jefferson L. Wofford (Republican) 34.55%[14]
Mississippi 2 None, seat not admitted New member elected, but election rejected by the House.
  • Green tickY T. N. Martin (Democratic) 65.47%
  • Jehiel Railsback (Republican) 34.53%[15]
Mississippi 3 None, seat not admitted New member elected, but election rejected by the House.
Mississippi 4 None, seat not admitted New member elected, but election rejected by the House.
  • Green tickY George McKee (Republican) 56.86%
  • George L. Potter (Democratic) 43.14%[17]
Mississippi 5 None, seat not admitted New member elected, but election rejected by the House.
Close

1869 accepted elections

Mississippi then held new elections December 1, 1869 both: to finish the term in the 40th Congress and to the next term (starting in 1871) in the 41st Congress. Both elections had the same vote totals and were accepted by the House. The new members were seated in 1870.

More information District, Incumbent ...
District Incumbent This race
Representative Party First elected Results Candidates
Mississippi 1 None, seat not admitted New member elected to finish the term and to the next term.
Republican gain.
  • Green tickY George E. Harris (Republican) 59.96%
  • Jefferson L. Wofford (Democratic) 37.52%
  • R. B. Avery (Independent) 2.52%[19][20]
Mississippi 2 None, seat not admitted New member elected to finish the term and to the next term.
Republican gain.
Mississippi 3 None, seat not admitted New member elected to finish the term and to the next term.
Republican gain.
  • Green tickY Henry W. Barry (Republican) 62.22%
  • Schuyler B. Steers (Democratic) 29.07%
  • J. D. Leflore (Independent) 8.71%[23][24]
Mississippi 4 None, seat not admitted New member elected to finish the term and to the next term.
Republican gain.
  • Green tickY George McKee (Republican) 71.57%
  • Archie C. Fisk (Democratic) 27.97%
  • Scattering <1.0%[25][26]
Mississippi 5 None, seat not admitted New member elected to finish the term and to the next term.
Republican gain.
Close

Missouri

Montana Territory

See non-voting delegates, below.

Nebraska

More information District, Incumbent ...
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Nebraska at-large John Taffe Republican 1866 Incumbent re-elected.
Close

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico Territory

See non-voting delegates, below.

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

More information District, Incumbent ...
District Incumbent This race
Representative Party First elected Results Candidates[30]
Ohio 1 Benjamin Eggleston Republican 1864 Incumbent lost re-election.
Democratic gain.
Ohio 2 Samuel F. Cary Ind-Republican 1867 (special) Incumbent lost re-election.
Republican hold.
Ohio 3 Robert C. Schenck Republican 1862 Incumbent re-elected.
Ohio 4 William Lawrence Republican 1864 Incumbent re-elected.
Ohio 5 William Mungen Democratic 1866 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY William Mungen (Democratic) 59.3%
  • Thomas E. Grissell (Republican) 40.7%
Ohio 6 Reader W. Clarke Republican 1864 Incumbent retired.
Republican hold.
Ohio 7 Samuel Shellabarger Republican 1864 Incumbent retired.
Republican hold.
  • Green tickY James J. Winans (Republican) 50.2%
  • John H. Thomas (Democratic) 49.8%
Ohio 8 John Beatty Republican 1868 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY John Beatty (Republican) 52.0%
  • John H. Benson (Democratic) 48.0%
Ohio 9 Ralph P. Buckland Republican 1864 Incumbent retired.
Democratic gain.
Ohio 10 James M. Ashley Republican 1862 Incumbent lost re-election.
Democratic gain.
Ohio 11 John Thomas Wilson Republican 1866 Incumbent re-elected.
Ohio 12 Philadelph Van Trump Democratic 1866 Incumbent re-elected.
Ohio 13 Columbus Delano Republican 1866[lower-alpha 10] Incumbent retired.
Democratic gain.
Ohio 14 Martin Welker Republican 1864 Incumbent re-elected.
Ohio 15 Tobias A. Plants Republican 1864 Incumbent retired.
Republican hold.
Ohio 16 John Bingham Republican 1864 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY John Bingham (Republican) 50.8%
  • Josiah M. Estep (Democratic) 49.2%
Ohio 17 Ephraim R. Eckley Republican 1862 Incumbent retired.
Republican hold.
  • Green tickY Jacob A. Ambler (Republican) 56.4%
  • Daniel T. Lawson (Democratic) 43.6%
Ohio 18 Rufus P. Spalding Republican 1862 Incumbent retired.
Republican hold.
Ohio 19 James A. Garfield Republican 1862 Incumbent re-elected.
Close

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Tennessee

More information District, Incumbent ...
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Tennessee 1 Roderick R. Butler Republican 1867 Incumbent re-elected.
Tennessee 2 Horace Maynard Republican 1865 Incumbent re-elected.
Tennessee 3 William B. Stokes Republican 1865 Incumbent re-elected.
Tennessee 4 James Mullins Republican 1867 Incumbent retired.
Republican hold.
Tennessee 5 John Trimble Republican 1867 Incumbent retired.
Republican hold.
  • Green tickY William F. Prosser (Republican) 56.05%
  • Joseph Motley (Democratic) 25.64%
  • Samuel C. Mercer (Independent) 17.55%
  • G. M. Garrett (Unknown) 0.77%[35]
Tennessee 6 Samuel M. Arnell Republican 1865 Incumbent re-elected.
Tennessee 7 Isaac R. Hawkins Republican 1865 Incumbent re-elected.
Tennessee 8 David A. Nunn Republican 1867 Incumbent lost re-election as an Independent Republican.
Republican hold.
Close

Texas

Utah Territory

See non-voting delegates, below.

Vermont

More information District, Incumbent ...
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[39]
Vermont 1 Frederick E. Woodbridge Republican 1863 Incumbent retired.
Republican hold.
Vermont 2 Luke P. Poland Republican 1866 Incumbent re-elected
  • Green tickY Luke P. Poland (Republican) 73.7%
  • Charles M. Chase (Democratic) 26.1%
Vermont 3 Worthington C. Smith Republican 1866 Incumbent re-elected.
Close

Virginia

More information District, Incumbent ...
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[40]
Virginia 1 None State readmitted.
Republican gain.
Virginia 2 None State readmitted.
Republican gain.
Virginia 3 None State readmitted.
Republican gain.
Virginia 4 None State readmitted.
Conservative gain.
Virginia 5 None State readmitted.
Conservative gain.
Virginia 6 None State readmitted.
Conservative gain.
Virginia 7 None State readmitted.
Conservative gain.
Virginia 8 None State readmitted.
Conservative gain.
Close

Washington Territory

See non-voting delegates, below.

West Virginia

More information District, Incumbent ...
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
West Virginia 1 Chester D. Hubbard Republican 1864 Incumbent lost renomination.
Republican hold.
West Virginia 2 Bethuel Kitchen Republican 1866 Incumbent retired.
Republican hold.
West Virginia 3 Daniel Polsley Republican 1866 Incumbent retired.
Republican hold.
  • Green tickY John Witcher (Republican) 56.39%
  • Charles P. Moore (Democratic) 43.61%[43]
Close

Wisconsin

Wisconsin elected six members of congress on Election Day, November 3, 1868.

More information District, Incumbent ...
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates[44]
Wisconsin 1 Halbert E. Paine Republican 1864 Incumbent re-elected.
Wisconsin 2 Benjamin F. Hopkins Republican 1866 Incumbent re-elected.
Wisconsin 3 Amasa Cobb Republican 1862 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Amasa Cobb (Republican) 61.6%
  • John H. Passmore (Democratic) 38.4%
Wisconsin 4 Charles A. Eldredge Democratic 1862 Incumbent re-elected.
Wisconsin 5 Philetus Sawyer Republican 1864 Incumbent re-elected.
Wisconsin 6 Cadwallader C. Washburn Republican 1866 Incumbent re-elected.
Close

Non-voting delegates

Colorado Territory

More information District, Incumbent ...
District Incumbent This race
Delegate Party First elected Results Candidates
Colorado Territory at-large George M. Chilcott Independent
Republican
1866 Unknown if incumbent retired or lost renomination.
Republican gain.
Close

Montana Territory

The election date is speculative.[46]

More information District, Incumbent ...
District Incumbent This race
Delegate Party First elected Results Candidates
Montana Territory at-large James M. Cavanaugh Democratic 1868 Incumbent re-elected.
Close

Idaho Territory

More information District, Incumbent ...
District Incumbent This race
Delegate Party First elected Results Candidates
Idaho Territory at-large Edward D. Holbrook Democratic 1864 Incumbent retired.
New delegate elected August 10, 1868.
Democratic hold.
  • Green tickY Jacob K. Shafer (Democratic) 57.63%
  • T. J. Butler (Republican) 41.19%
  • J. J. May (Independent) 1.17%[47]
Close

Wyoming Territory

On July 25, 1868, an act of Congress gave Wyoming Territory the authority to elect a congressional delegate, although the first delegate did not take his seat until 1869.[48]

More information District, Incumbent ...
District Incumbent This race
Delegate Party First elected Results Candidates
Wyoming Territory At-large None, new district. Territory organized in previous congress.
New delegate elected December 6, 1869.
Democratic gain.
Close

See also

Notes

  1. Excludes states readmitted after the start of Congress.
  2. The majority of States held elections on November 3, 1868 (i.e. "Election Day") for the first time.
  3. Including late elections.
  4. Conservatives won 5 seats.
  5. Elections held late.
  6. Elections held early.
  7. Readmitted state.
  8. Previous election had one vacancy.
  9. Late election to 40th Congress.
  10. Columbus Delano lost election in 1866 to George W. Morgan, contested the election and was seated June 1868.

References

Bibliography

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