1838 United States elections explained

Year:	1838
Type:	Midterm elections
Incumbent President:	Martin Van Buren (Democratic)
Next Congress:	26th
Senate Control:	Democratic hold
Senate Seats Contested:	17 of 52 seats^[1]
Senate Net Change:	Whig +3^[2]
House Control:	Democratic hold
House Seats Contested:	All 242 voting seats
House Net Change:	Whig +16

The 1838 United States elections occurred in the middle of Democratic President Martin Van Buren's term, during the Second Party System. Members of the 26th United States Congress were chosen in this election.

Whigs picked up a moderate number of seats in both the House and Senate, but the Democratic Party retained a majority in both chambers.^{[3] [4]} However, due to a split in the Democratic party, Whig Congressman Robert M. T. Hunter was elected to be the Speaker of the House.^[5]

See also

• 1838–39 United States House of Representatives elections
• 1838–39 United States Senate elections

Notes and References

1. Not counting special elections.
2. Congressional seat gain figures only reflect the results of the regularly-scheduled elections, and do not take special elections into account.
3. Web site: Party Divisions of the House of Representatives. United States House of Representatives. 25 June 2014.
4. Web site: Party Division in the Senate, 1789-Present. United States Senate. 25 June 2014.
5. Web site: A Mob in Search of a Speaker. House.gov. US House of Representatives. 1 July 2014.