1846 United States elections explained

Year:1846
Type:Midterm elections
Incumbent President:James K. Polk (Democratic)
Next Congress:30th
Senate Control:Democratic hold
Senate Seats Contested:19 of 58 seats[1]
Senate Net Change:Democratic +2[2]
House Control:Whig gain
House Seats Contested:All 230 voting seats
House Net Change:Whig +37

The 1846 United States elections occurred in the middle of Democratic President James Polk's term, during the Second Party System. The election took place during the Mexican–American War. Members of the 30th United States Congress were chosen in this election. Wisconsin joined the union during the 30th Congress. Democrats kept control of the Senate, but lost control of the House.

In the House, the Whigs won major gains, turning a dominant Democratic majority into a narrow Whig majority.[3]

In the Senate, Democrats picked up a moderate number of seats, building on their majority.[4]

See also

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.