1872–73 United States Senate elections

none March 2026 February 2020 1872–73 United States Senate elections United States 1867 legislative no 1870–71 United States Senate elections 1870 & 1871 1874–75 United States Senate elections 1874 & 1875 Class 3 1866–67 United States Senate elections 1866 & 1867 1878–79 United States Senate elections 1878 & 1879 24 of the 74 seats in the United States Senate (with special elections) 38 Dates vary by state(And other dates for special elections) x180px Seats up Republican Party (US) Henry B. Anthony as Republican Conference Chair Henry B. Anthony - Brady-Handy.jpg March 4, 1863 Rhode Island 58 seats 56 18 54 2 20 Democratic Party (US) Blank2x3.svg 9 seats 17 5 19 2 3 Liberal Republican Party (US) 0 seats 1 0 0 1 1 Majority Party Republican Party (US) Republican Party (US) 380px Results of the elections:#0671B0 Democratic gain #92C5DE Democratic hold#CA0120 Republican gain #F48882 Republican hold#de35d0ff Liberal Republican gain #000000f2 Legislature failed to elect The 1872–73 United States Senate elections were held on various dates in various states, coinciding with President Ulysses S. Grant'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 1872 and 1873, and a seat may have been filled months late or remained vacant due to legislative deadlock.https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/17th-amendment 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Direct Election of U.S. Senators (1913) National Archives and Records Administration February 8, 2022 In these elections, terms were up for the senators in Class 3. The Republican Party, while still retaining a commanding majority, lost two seats. By the beginning of the Congress, however, they would lose three more: two as defections to the Liberal Republican Party, and one a resignation of Henry Wilson to become U.S. Vice President. This remains the last election in which Republicans held a 2/3 majority in the Senate. Results summary Senate party division, 43rd Congress (1873–1875) Majority party: Republican (50–51) Minority party: Democratic (19–20) Other parties: Liberal Republican (3–2) Vacant: (2–1) Total seats: 74 Change in composition Before the elections After the January 30, 1872 special election in North Carolina. D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D8 D9 D10 D11 D12 D13 D14 D15Ran D16Unknown D17Unknown R48Unknown R49Unknown R50Unknown R51Retired R52Retired R53Retired R54Retired R55Retired R56Resigned LR1Retired R47Ran R46Ran R45Ran R44Ran R43Ran R42Ran R41Ran R40Ran R39Ran R38Ran Majority → R28 R29 R30 R31 R32 R33 R34 R35 R36 R37Ran R27 R26 R25 R24 R23 R22 R21 R20 R19 R18 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13 R14 R15 R16 R17 R7 R6 R5 R4 R3 R2 R1 Result of the elections D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D8 D9 D10 D11 D12 D13 D14 D15Hold D16Hold D17Hold R48Hold R49Hold R50Hold R51Hold R52Hold R53Gain LR1Re-elected, new party V1R Loss D19Gain D18Gain R47Hold R46Hold R45Hold R44Hold R43Re-elected R42Re-elected R41Re-elected R40Re-elected R39Re-elected R38Re-elected Majority → R37Re-elected R28 R29 R30 R31 R32 R33 R34 R35 R36 R27 R26 R25 R24 R23 R22 R21 R20 R19 R18 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13 R14 R15 R16 R17 R7 R6 R5 R4 R3 R2 R1 Beginning of the next Congress D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D8 D9 D10 D11 D12 D13 D14 D15 D16 D17 R48 R49 R50 LR1 LR2Changed LR3Changed V1 V2Resigned D19 D18 R47 R46 R45 R44 R43 R42 R41 R40 R39 R38 Majority → R37 R28 R29 R30 R31 R32 R33 R34 R35 R36 R27 R26 R25 R24 R23 R22 R21 R20 R19 R18 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13 R14 R15 R16 R17 R7 R6 R5 R4 R3 R2 R1 Key: D# Democratic LR# Liberal Republican R# Republican V# Vacant Race summaries Special elections during the 42nd Congress In these elections, the winners were seated during 1872 or in 1873 before March 4; ordered by election date. State Incumbent Results Candidates Senator Party Electoral history North Carolina(Class 2) Vacant Legislature had failed to elect.New senator elected January 30, 1872.Democratic gain. Democratic Party (US) Matt W. Ransom (Democratic) February 2020 Kentucky(Class 3) Willis B. Machen Democratic 1872 (appointed) Interim appointee elected January 21, 1873.Winner was not elected to the next term; see below. Democratic Party (US) Willis B. Machen (Democratic) 104 Republican Party (US)Richard Tarvin Baker (Republican) 18https://books.google.com/books?id=CcceBgAAQBAJ&q=Machen&pg=PR15 The Kentucky Encyclopedia John E. Kleber October 17, 2014 598 University Press of Kentucky 9780813159010 Louisiana(Class 3) William P. Kellogg Republican 1868 Incumbent resigned November 1, 1872 to become Governor of Louisiana.Legislature failed to elect.The seat remained vacant until January 12, 1876, due to a Senate dispute; see below.Taft 483–512Republican loss. Republican Party (US)P. B. S. Pinchback (Republican) UnknownJohn Ray (Unknown)http://www.senate.gov/states/LA/timeline.shtml LA - Louisiana www.senate.gov February 2020 Races leading to the 43rd Congress In these regular elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1873; ordered by state. All of the elections involved the Class 3 seats. State Incumbent Results Candidates Senator Party Electoral history Alabama George E. Spencer Republican 1868 (readmission) Incumbent re-elected in 1872. Republican Party (US) George E. Spencer (Republican) February 2020 Arkansas Benjamin F. Rice Republican 1868 (readmission) Incumbent retired.New senator elected in 1872 or 1873.Republican hold. Republican Party (US) Stephen W. Dorsey (Republican) February 2020 California Cornelius Cole Republican 1866–67 Unknown if incumbent retired or lost re-election.New senator elected in 1872 or 1873.Republican hold. Republican Party (US) Aaron A. Sargent (Republican) February 2020 Connecticut Orris S. Ferry Republican 1866 Incumbent re-elected May 15, 1872 as a Liberal Republican.Liberal Republican gain. Liberal Republican Party (US) Orris S. Ferry (Liberal Republican) 51.55% Republican Party (US)Joseph R. Hawley (Republican) 48.45%https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=355381 CT US Senate May 25, 2016 OurCampaigns.com October 31, 2019, citing The Journal of the House of Representatives of Connecticut 1872. Florida Thomas W. Osborn Republican 1868 (readmission) Incumbent retired.New senator elected in 1872 or 1873.Republican hold. Republican Party (US) Simon B. Conover (Republican) February 2020 Georgia Joshua Hill Republican 1867 (not seated)1871 (admitted) Incumbent retired.New senator elected in 1873.Democratic gain. Democratic Party (US) John Brown Gordon (Democratic) February 2020 Illinois Lyman Trumbull LiberalRepublican 185518611867 Incumbent lost re-election.New senator elected January 20, 1873.Republican gain. Republican Party (US) Richard J. Oglesby (Republican) 54.53% Liberal Republican Party (US)Lyman Trumbull (Liberal Republican) 42.47%https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=22273 Our Campaigns - IL US Senate Race - Jan 20, 1873 www.ourcampaigns.com October 31, 2019 Indiana Oliver P. Morton Republican 1867 Incumbent re-elected in 1873. Republican Party (US) Oliver P. Morton (Republican) February 2020 Iowa James Harlan Republican 18551857 (election voided)1857 (special)18601865 (resigned)1866 Incumbent lost renomination.New senator elected January 17, 1872.Clark 167Republican hold. Republican Party (US) William B. Allison (Republican) Democratic Party (US)Joseph C. Knapp (Democratic) Kansas Samuel C. Pomeroy Republican 18611867 Incumbent lost re-election.New senator elected in 1873.Republican hold. Republican Party (US) John Ingalls (Republican) February 2020 Kentucky Willis B. Machen Democratic 1872 (appointed) Interim appointee retired or lost re-election.New senator elected December 19, 1871.Democratic hold.Winner was not elected to finish the current term, see above. Democratic Party (US) Thomas C. McCreery (Democratic) 112 Republican Party (US)John Marshall Harlan (Republican) 20https://books.google.com/books?id=CcceBgAAQBAJ&pg=PP1 The Kentucky Encyclopedia John E. Kleber October 17, 2014 595 University Press of Kentucky 9780813159010 Louisiana William P. Kellogg Republican 1868 Incumbent resigned November 1, 1872 to become Governor of Louisiana.Legislature failed to elect and the seat remained vacant until January 12, 1876 due to a Senate dispute.Taft 483–512 Republican Party (US)P. B. S. Pinchback (Republican) Republican Party (US)William L. McMillen (Republican) February 2020 Maryland George Vickers Democratic 1868 (special) Incumbent retired or lost re-election.New senator elected in 1872 or 1873.Democratic hold. Democratic Party (US) George R. Dennis (Democratic) February 2020 Missouri Francis Blair Democratic 1871 (special) Incumbent lost re-election.New senator elected in 1872 or 1873.Democratic hold. Democratic Party (US) Lewis V. Bogy (Democratic) February 2020 Nevada James W. Nye Republican 18651867 Incumbent retired.New senator elected in 1873.Republican hold. Republican Party (US) John P. Jones (Republican) February 2020 New Hampshire James W. Patterson Republican 1866–67 Incumbent lost renomination.New senator elected in 1872.Republican hold. Republican Party (US) Bainbridge Wadleigh (Republican) February 2020 New York Roscoe Conkling Republican 1867 Incumbent re-elected January 21, 1873. Republican Party (US) Roscoe Conkling (Republican) Democratic Party (US)Charles A. Wheaton (Democratic) Republican Party (US)William M. Evarts (Republican) Liberal Republican Party (US)Henry R. Selden (Liberal Republican) North Carolina John Pool Republican 1868 (readmission) Incumbent retired.New senator elected in 1872.Democratic gain. Democratic Party (US) Augustus Merrimon (Democratic) February 2020 Ohio John Sherman Republican 1861 (special)1866 Incumbent re-elected in 1872. Republican Party (US) John Sherman (Republican) February 2020 Oregon Henry W. Corbett Republican 1866–67 Incumbent retired.New senator elected in 1872.Republican hold. Republican Party (US) John H. Mitchell (Republican) February 2020 Pennsylvania Simon Cameron Republican 1867 Incumbent re-elected January 21, 1873. Republican Party (US) Simon Cameron (Republican) 57.14% Democratic Party (US)William A. Wallace (Democratic) 37.59% Liberal Republican Party (US)Thomas Marshall (Liberal Republican) 0.75% Democratic Party (US)Hendrick B. Wright (Democratic) 0.75% South Carolina Frederick A. Sawyer Republican 1868 Incumbent retired or lost re-election.New senator elected in 1872 or 1873.Republican hold. Republican Party (US) John J. Patterson (Republican) February 2020 Vermont Justin S. Morrill Republican 1866 Incumbent re-elected in 1872. Republican Party (US) Justin S. Morrill (Republican) February 2020 Wisconsin Timothy O. Howe Republican 18611867 Incumbent re-elected January 22, 1873. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89080524093 Journal of the Assembly of Wisconsin 1873 Wisconsin Legislature 74–75 January 22, 1873 March 8, 2025 HathiTrust Republican Party (US) Timothy O. Howe (Republican) 64.84% Democratic Party (US) Henry L. Palmer (Democratic) 34.38% Democratic Party (US) Charles A. Eldredge (Democratic) 0.78% Elections during the 43rd Congress In this election, the winner was elected in 1873 after March 4. State Incumbent Results Candidates Senator Party Electoral history Massachusetts(Class 2) Henry Wilson Republican 1855 (special)185918651871 Incumbent resigned to become U.S. Vice President.New senator elected March 12, 1873.Republican hold. Republican Party (US) George S. Boutwell (Republican) 152 Republican Party (US)Henry L. Dawes (Republican) 115 Republican Party (US)George B. Loring (Republican) 2 Democratic Party (US)John K. Tarbox (Democratic) 2 Democratic Party (US)William Whiting (Democratic) 2 UnknownC. G. Greene (Unknown) 2 voteshttps://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/03/13/79208778.html?zoom=15.120000000000001 Election of Ex-Secretary Boutwell as United States Senator The New York Times March 13, 1873 February 17, 2020 1 California(Class 1) Eugene Casserly Democratic 1868 Incumbent resigned.New senator elected December 23, 1873.https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/12/26/79210601.html?zoom=15.1 UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT. RECENT DECISIONS / CURIOUS LAWSUIT. SENATOR HAGAR, OF CALIFORNIA. The New York Times December 26, 1873 February 17, 2020 1Democratic hold. Democratic Party (US) John S. Hager (Democratic) Republican Party (US)[FNU] Cole Possibly Cornelius Cole (Republican) Unknown[FNU] Goodwin (Unknown) Unknown[FNU] Swift (Unknown) Unknown[FNU] Lewis (Unknown) Unknown[FNU] Edgerton (Unknown)https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/12/17/79059761.html?zoom=16 THE CALIFORNIA SENATORSHIP. The New York Times December 17, 1873 February 17, 2020 1 Early election State Incumbent Results Candidates Senator Party Electoral history California(Class 1) Eugene Casserly Democratic 1868 Incumbent resigned November 29, 1873.New senator elected early December 20, 1873.https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1873/12/21/79060205.html?zoom=16 THE CALIFORNIAN SENATORSHIP ELECTION OF BOOTH. December 21, 1873 The New York Times February 17, 2020 1Anti-Monopoly gain. Anti-Monopoly Party (US) Newton Booth (Anti-Monopoly) 60 February 2020 Alabama List of United States senators from Alabama 1872 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama February 2021 Arkansas List of United States senators from Arkansas 1872 United States House of Representatives elections in Arkansas February 2021 California List of United States senators from California 1872 United States Senate election in California California (regular, class 3) February 2021 California (special) February 2021 California (early) February 2021 Connecticut List of United States senators from Connecticut 1873 United States House of Representatives elections in Connecticut February 2021 Florida List of United States senators from Florida 1872 United States House of Representatives election in Florida February 2021 Georgia List of United States senators from Georgia 1872 United States House of Representatives elections in Georgia February 2021 Illinois List of United States senators from Illinois 1872 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois February 2021 Indiana List of United States senators from Indiana 1872 United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana February 2021 Iowa List of United States senators from Iowa 1872 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa February 2021 Kansas List of United States senators from Kansas 1872 United States House of Representatives election in Kansas February 2021 Kentucky List of United States senators from Kentucky 1872 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky Kentucky (regular) February 2021 Kentucky (special) February 2021 Louisiana List of United States senators from Louisiana 1872 United States House of Representatives elections in Louisiana Louisiana (special) February 2021 Louisiana (regular) February 2021 Maryland List of United States senators from Maryland November 2022 1872 United States Senate election in Maryland 81 B0CEFF 87.10% Democratic Party (United States) George R. Dennis George Dennis of Maryland, sitting.jpg 11 FFB6B6 11.83% Republican Party (United States) Lewis Henry Steiner Lewis Henry Steiner.jpg 1878 1878 United States Senate election in Maryland 1868 1868 United States Senate special election in Maryland 80 members of the Maryland General Assembly Legislative January 18, 1872 presidential George R. Dennis was elected by a margin of 75.27%, or 70 votes, for the Class 3 seat.https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=114844 Our Campaigns - MD US Senate Race - Jan 18, 1872 2022-11-05 www.ourcampaigns.com Massachusetts (special) 1873 United States Senate special election in Massachusetts List of United States senators from Massachusetts February 2021 Missouri List of United States senators from Missouri 1872 United States House of Representatives elections in Missouri February 2021 Nevada List of United States senators from Nevada 1872 United States House of Representatives election in Nevada February 2021 New Hampshire List of United States senators from New Hampshire 1873 United States House of Representatives elections in New Hampshire February 2021 New York 1873 United States Senate election in New York List of United States senators from New York 1872 United States House of Representatives elections in New York The New York election was held on January 21, 1873. Although the votes were cast on January 21, both Houses met in a joint session on January 22 to compare nominations, and declare the result.February 2020 Republican Roscoe Conkling had been elected in January 1867 to this seat, and his term would expire on March 3, 1873. At the State election in November 1871, 21 Republicans and 11 Democrats were elected for a two-year term (1872–1873) in the State Senate. In 1872, a faction of the Republican Party opposed the re-election of President Ulysses S. Grant and the Radical Republicans who supported him, and under the name Liberal Republican Party nominated a joint ticket with the Democratic Party. At the State election in November 1872, 91 Republicans, 35 Democrats and two Independents were elected for the session of 1873 to the Assembly. The 96th New York State Legislature met from January 7 to May 30, 1873, at Albany, New York. The caucus of Republican State legislators met on January 8, State Senator William B. Woodin, of Auburn (25th D.), presided. 18 state senators and 88 assemblymen were present. They re-nominated Conkling unanimously. The caucus of the Democratic State legislators nominated Ex-First Judge of Dutchess County Charles Wheaton. Roscoe Conkling was the choice of both the Assembly and the State Senate, and was declared elected. House Republican Democratic Republican Liberal Republican State Senate (32 members) Roscoe Conkling 20 Charles A. Wheaton Charles A. Wheaton (1834-1886), lawyer, of Poughkeepsie, First Judge of the Dutchess County Court 1863-67February 2020 5 William M. Evarts 1 Henry R. Selden 1 State Assembly (128 members) Roscoe Conkling 92 Charles A. Wheaton 26         Note: The vote for Ex-U.S. Attorney General William M. Evarts was cast by Norman M. Allen (32nd district), the vote for Ex-Judge of the New York Court of Appeals Henry R. Selden by Gabriel T. Harrower (27th district). Allen, Harrower and Abiah W. Palmer (11th district) were the three Liberal Republicans in the State Senate. North Carolina List of United States senators from North Carolina 1872 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina North Carolina (regular) North Carolina (late) February 2021 Ohio List of United States senators from Ohio 1872 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio February 2021 Oregon List of United States senators from Oregon 1872 United States House of Representatives election in Oregon February 2021 Pennsylvania 1873 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania List of United States senators from Pennsylvania 1872 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania The Pennsylvania General Assembly, consisting of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Pennsylvania State Senate, voted on January 21, 1873. Incumbent Republican Simon Cameron, who was elected in 1867, won re-election.U.S. Senate Election - 21 January 1873 http://staffweb.wilkes.edu/harold.cox/sen/PaSen1873.pdf Wilkes University December 22, 2013 State Legislature Results Republican Party (US) Simon Cameron (Incumbent) 76 57.14 Democratic Party (US) William A. Wallace 50 37.59 Liberal Republican Party (US) Thomas Marshall 1 0.75 Democratic Party (US) Hendrick Wright 1 0.75 N/A Not voting 5 3.76 |- | colspan=3 align=right | Totals | align=right | 133 | align=right | 100.00% |} South Carolina List of United States senators from South Carolina 1872 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina February 2021 Vermont List of United States senators from Vermont 1872 United States House of Representatives elections in Vermont February 2021 Wisconsin 1873 United States Senate election in Wisconsin List of United States senators from Wisconsin 1872 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin The 26th Wisconsin Legislature met in joint session on January 22, 1873, to elect a U.S. senator. The voting was almost entirely along party lines, with five Democrats absent. Of the 128 in attendance, Timothy O. Howe received the votes of all but one of the Republican legislators, winning his third term as U.S. senator. 1st Vote of the 26th Wisconsin Legislature, January 22, 1873 Republican Party (United States) Timothy O. Howe (incumbent) 83 64.84% Democratic Party (United States) Henry L. Palmer 44 34.38% Democratic Party (United States) Charles A. Eldredge 1 0.78% Absent 5 65 50.78% 128 96.24% Republican Party (United States) See also 1872 United States elections 1872–73 United States House of Representatives elections 1872 United States presidential election 42nd United States Congress 43rd United States Congress Notes References Sources Party Division in the Senate, 1789-Present, via Senate.gov The Senate, 1789-1989: Historical Statistics, 1789-1992 volume 4 Bicentennial Robert C. Byrd Robert Byrd Wendy Wolff United States Senate Historical Office Washington, DC U.S. Government Printing Office October 1, 1993 9780160632563 https://books.google.com/books?id=PeHByMYxVm8C Dan Elbert Clark https://books.google.com/books?id=jXJDAAAAIAAJ History of Senatorial Elections in Iowa Iowa City, Iowa 1913 Clark Compilation of Senate Election Cases from 1789 to 1913 George S. Taft George S. Taft George P. Furber George M. Buck U.S. Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections Charles A. Webb Herbert R. Pierce U.S. Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections 1913 U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, DC https://books.google.com/books?id=XrItAAAAYAAJ Taft Members of the 43rd United States Congress ALBANY.; Unanimous Nomination of Roscoe Conkling for U.S. Senator in NYT on January 9, 1873 ALBANY.; Nomination of Roscoe Conkling as United States Senator in NYT on January 22, 1873 The Life and Letters of Roscoe Conkling: Orator, Statesman and Advocate by Alfred R. Conkling (page 449) [gives wrong date for governor's inauguration "January 6", the inauguration happens invariably on January 1; and adds non-existent middle initial "G."] Pennsylvania Election Statistics: 1682-2006 from the Wilkes University Election Statistics Project