1885 United States House of Representatives elections

none January 2026 January 2025 There were six special elections to the United States House of Representatives in 1885 during the 48th and 49th Congresses. 48th Congress |- ! North Carolina 5 X | Alfred M. Scales | | Democratic | 18571858 (lost)1874 | | Incumbent resigned December 30, 1884, when elected Governor of North Carolina.New member elected January 15, 1885 and seated January 28, 1885.Democratic hold.Winner had already been elected to the next term. | nowrap | Democratic Party (US) James W. Reid (Democratic) 90.50% Republican Party (US)Joseph S. Worth (Republican) 6.85% Republican Party (US)Leonidas C. Edwards (Republican) 1.23% Scattering 1.42%https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=247424 Our Campaigns - NC District 05 - Special Election Race - Jan 15, 1885 www.ourcampaigns.com |- ! Rhode Island 2 X | Jonathan Chace | | Republican | 1880 | |Resigned January 26, 1885, when elected U.S. Senator.New member elected February 5, 1885 and seated February 12, 1885.Republican hold.Winner had already been elected to the next term. | nowrap | Republican Party (US) Nathan F. Dixon III (Republican) 69.35% Democratic Party (US)Philip W. Hawkins (Democratic) 30.65%https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=538065 Our Campaigns - RI District 02 Race - Feb 05, 1885 www.ourcampaigns.com |} 49th Congress |- ! Arkansas 3 X | James K. Jones | | Democratic | 1880 | |Incumbent member-elect resigned during the previous Congress when elected U.S. senator.New member elected September 7, 1885 and seated December 7, 1885.Democratic hold. | nowrap | Democratic Party (US) Thomas C. McRae (Democratic) 61.19% Republican Party (US)C. E. Mitchell (Republican) 38.81%https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=332588 Our Campaigns - AR District 5 Race - Sep 07, 1885 www.ourcampaigns.com |- ! Illinois 5 X | Reuben Ellwood | | Republican | 1882 | | Incumbent died July 1, 1885.New member elected November 3, 1885 and seated December 7, 1885.Republican hold. | nowrap | Republican Party (US) Albert J. Hopkins (Republican) 73.51% Democratic Party (US)Richard Bishop (Democratic) 26.29%https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=618081 Our Campaigns - IL - District 05 Special Election Race - Nov 03, 1885 www.ourcampaigns.com |- ! NY 8 X | Samuel S. Cox | | Democratic | 1856 (Ohio)1864 (lost)1868 (N.Y.) | | Incumbent resigned to become U.S. Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Ottoman Empire.New member elected November 3, 1885.Democratic hold. | nowrap | Democratic Party (US) Timothy J. Campbell (Democratic) 51.93% Republican Party (US)John Galvin (Republican) 48.07%https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=453355 Our Campaigns - NY District 08 - Special Election Race - Nov 03, 1885 www.ourcampaigns.com |- ! PA 19 X | William A. Duncan | | Democratic | 1882 | | Incumbent member-elect resigned during previous congress.New member elected November 3, 1885 and seated December 7, 1885.Democratic hold. | nowrap | Democratic Party (US) John A. Swope (Democratic) 66.70% Republican Party (US)Charles H. Bressler (Republican) 33.30% https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=414727 Our Campaigns - PA - District 19 - Special Election Race - Dec 23, 1884 www.ourcampaigns.com |} References 1885