1850–51 United States Senate elections explained

Election Name:1850–51 United States Senate elections
Country:United States
Flag Year:1848
Type:legislative
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1848–49 United States Senate elections
Next Election:1852–53 United States Senate elections
Seats For Election:21 of the 62 seats in the United States Senate (with special elections)
Majority Seats:32
Election Date:Various dates
1Blank:Seats up
Party1:Democratic Party (US)
Last Election1:33 seats
Seats Before1:35
Seats1:12
Seats After1:33
Seat Change1: 2
1Data1:14
Party2:Whig Party (US)
Last Election2:25 seats
Seats Before2:25
Seats2:4
Seats After2:22
Seat Change2: 3
1Data2:7
Party3:Free Soil Party
Last Election3:1 seat
Seats Before3:2
Seats3:0
Seats After3:2
1Data3:0
Majority party
Before Party:Democratic Party (US)
After Party:Democratic Party (US)
Map Size:380px

The 1850–51 United States Senate elections were held on various dates in various states. 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 1850 and 1851, and a seat may have been filled months late or remained vacant due to legislative deadlock.[1] In these elections, terms were up for the senators in Class 1.

The Democratic Party lost seats, but retained a majority in the Senate.

Results summary

Senate party division, 32nd Congress (1851–1853)

Change in composition

Before the elections

D
width=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px D
DDDDDDDDDD
DD
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
Majority →D
W
W
W
FSFSD
D
D
D
W
W
W
W
WWWWWW
WWWWWWWWWW
W

As a result of the elections

D
width=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px D
DDDDDDDDDD
DD
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
Majority →D
V
V
FSFSV
V
V
D
D
W
W
W
W
WWWWWW
WWWWWWWWWW
W

At the beginning of the first session, December 1, 1851

D
width=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px Dwidth=50px D
DDDDDDDDDD
DDDDDDDDDD
Majority →D
W
W
FSFSFS
VVD
D
WWWWWWWWWW
WWWWWWWWWW
W
Key:
align=center width=35px DDemocratic
align=center width=35px FSFree Soil
align=center width=35px WWhig
align=center width=35px VVacant

Race summaries

Elections during the 31st Congress

In these elections, the winners were seated during 1850 or in 1851 before March 4; ordered by election date.

StateIncumbentResultsCandidates
SenatorPartyElectoral history
Maryland
(Class 1)		David StewartWhig1849 Interim appointee retired.
Winner elected January 12, 1850.
Whig hold.
Winner was elected to the next term, see below.		nowrap
Massachusetts
(Class 1)		Robert C. WinthropWhig1850 Interim appointee lost election to finish the term.
Winner elected February 1, 1851.
Democratic gain.
Winner was not elected to the next term, see below.		nowrap

Races leading to the 32nd Congress

In these regular elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1851; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 1 seats.

StateIncumbentResultsCandidates
SenatorPartyElectoral history
ConnecticutRoger Sherman BaldwinWhig1847
1848 		Unknown if incumbent ran for re-election or retired.
Legislature failed to elect.
Whig loss
Seat would not be filled until 1852.
CaliforniaJohn C. FrémontDemocratic1850Incumbent lost re-election.
Legislature failed to elect.
Democratic loss.
Seat would not be filled until 1852.		John C. Frémont (Democratic)
DelawareJohn WalesWhig1849 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected in 1851.
Democratic gain.		nowrap
FloridaDavid Levy YuleeDemocratic1845Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected in 1851.
Democratic hold.		nowrap
IndianaJesse D. BrightDemocratic1844Incumbent re-elected in 1850.nowrap
MaineHannibal HamlinDemocratic1848 Incumbent re-elected in 1851.nowrap
MarylandThomas PrattWhig1850 Incumbent re-elected January 12, 1850.nowrap
MassachusettsRobert Rantoul Jr.Democratic1851 Unknown if incumbent ran for re-election or retired.
Legislature failed to elect.
Democratic loss.
Seat would later be filled on April 24, 1851, see below.		Charles Sumner (Free Soil)
MichiganLewis CassDemocratic1844 or 1845
1848
1849 		Incumbent re-elected in 1850 or 1851.nowrap
MississippiJefferson DavisDemocratic1847
1848 		Incumbent re-elected in 1850.nowrap
MissouriThomas H. BentonDemocratic1821
1827
1833
1839
1845		Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected in 1851.
Whig gain.		nowrap
New JerseyWilliam L. DaytonWhig1848 (Democratic)
? (special)
1845		Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected in 1851.
Democratic gain.		nowrap
New YorkDaniel S. DickinsonDemocratic1844
1845		Incumbent lost re-election.
Legislature failed to elect.
Democratic loss.
Seat would later be filled on March 19, 1851, see below.		Daniel S. Dickinson (Democratic)
Many, see below
OhioThomas EwingWhig1850 Incumbent lost election to the next term.
Legislature failed to elect.
Whig loss.
Seat would later be filled on March 15, 1851, see below.		Thomas Ewing (Whig)
PennsylvaniaDaniel SturgeonDemocratic1840
1845		Incumbent retired.
New senator elected January 14, 1851.
Democratic hold.		nowrap
Rhode IslandAlbert C. GreeneWhig1844 or 1845Incumbent retired.
New senator elected in 1850 or 1851.
Democratic gain.		nowrap
TennesseeHopkins L. TurneyDemocratic1844Unknown if incumbent retired or lost re-election.
New senator elected in 1851.
Whig gain.		nowrap
TexasThomas J. RuskDemocratic1846Incumbent re-elected in 1851.nowrap
VermontSamuel S. PhelpsWhig1839
1845		Unknown if incumbent retired or lost re-election.
New senator elected in 1850.
Whig hold.		nowrap
VirginiaJames M. MasonDemocratic1847 Incumbent re-elected in 1850.nowrap
WisconsinHenry DodgeDemocratic1848Incumbent re-elected in 1851.nowrap

Elections during the 32nd Congress

In late these elections, the winners were elected in 1851 after March 4; ordered by election date.

StateIncumbentResultsCandidates
SenatorPartyElectoral history
Ohio
(Class 1)		VacantLegislature had failed to elect.
Winner elected late March 15, 1851 on the 37th ballot.[2]
Whig gain.		nowrap
New York
(Class 1)		VacantLegislature had failed to elect.
Winner elected late March 19, 1851.
Whig gain.		nowrap
Massachusetts
(Class 1)		VacantLegislature had failed to elect.
Winner elected April 24, 1851.
Free Soil gain.		nowrap
Kentucky
(Class 3)		Henry ClayWhig1806
1807
1810
1811
1831
1836
1842
1849		Incumbent resigned December 17, 1851, to be effective September 6, 1852.
Winner elected December 31, 1851.
Whig hold.		nowrap

Race leading to the 33rd Congress

In this regular election, the winner was elected for the term beginning March 4, 1853.

This election involved a Class 3 seat.

Kentucky

Kentucky (early)

See also: List of United States senators from Kentucky.

One-term Whig Joseph R. Underwood retired and the Know Nothing Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky John Burton Thompson was elected early, December 15, 1851, far in advance of the 1853 term, as was common practice at the time.

Kentucky (special)

Long-term Whig and former-United States Secretary of State Henry Clay announced his resignation December 17, 1851 from the class 3 seat, to be effective September 6, 1852.

Whig Archibald Dixon was elected December 31, 1851.

After many ballots, the vote in the final deciding ballot was:

Before Clay's resignation was effective, he died June 24, 1852. Democratic Secretary of State of Kentucky David Meriwether was appointed July 6, 1852 pending the effective date of the special election. Dixon was then seated September 1, 1852 to finish the term that would end in 1855.

Maryland

Maryland (special)

See also: List of United States senators from Maryland.

Election Name:1850 United States Senate special election in Maryland
Popular Vote1:-
Colour1:F0C862
Percentage1:-%
Party1:Whig Party (United States)
Candidate1:Thomas Pratt
Image1:Thomas Pratt, Brady photo portrait, circa 1848-1860, sitting.jpg
Next Year:1851
Next Election:1851 United States Senate election in Maryland
Previous Year:1849
Previous Election:1849 United States Senate election in Maryland
Votes For Election:80 members of the Maryland General Assembly
Vote Type:Legislative
Election Date:1850
Type:presidential

Reverdy Johnson won election in 1844 but retired to become the United States Attorney General. In order to fill his seat, David Stewart was elected as a temporary appointment until a successor could be elected. Thomas Pratt won election by an unknown margin of votes, for the Class 1 seat.[3]

Maryland (regular)

See also: List of United States senators from Maryland.

Election Name:1851 United States Senate election in Maryland
Popular Vote1:-
Colour1:F0C862
Percentage1:-%
Party1:Whig Party (United States)
Candidate1:Thomas Pratt
Image1:Thomas Pratt, Brady photo portrait, circa 1848-1860, sitting.jpg
Next Year:1857
Next Election:1857 United States Senate election in Maryland
Previous Year:1850
Previous Election:1850 United States Senate special election in Maryland
Votes For Election:80 members of the Maryland General Assembly
Vote Type:Legislative
Election Date:1851
Type:presidential

Thomas Pratt won election to a full term by an unknown margin of votes, for the Class 1 seat.[4]

Massachusetts

See main article: 1851 United States Senate election in Massachusetts. In 1851, Democrats gained control of the legislature in coalition with the Free Soilers. However, the legislature deadlocked on this Senate race, as Democrats refused to vote for Charles Sumner (the Free Soilers' choice).

New York

See main article: 1851 United States Senate election in New York. The election in New York was held on February 4 and March 18 and 19, 1851. Daniel S. Dickinson (Democratic) had been elected in 1845 to this seat, and his term would expire on March 3, 1851. The Whig Party in New York was split in two opposing factions: the Seward/Weed faction (the majority, opposed to the Compromise of 1850) and the "Silver Grays" (supporters of President Millard Fillmore and his compromise legislation, led by Francis Granger whose silver gray hair originated the faction's nickname). The opposing factions of the Democratic Party in New York, the "Barnburners" and the "Hunkers", had reunited at the State election in November 1850, and managed to have almost their whole State ticket elected, only Horatio Seymour was defeated for Governor by a plurality of 262 votes.

At the State election in November 1849, 14 Seward Whigs, 3 Silver Gray Whigs and 15 Democrats were elected for a two-year term (1850–1851) in the State Senate. At the State election in November 1850, a Whig majority was elected to the Assembly for the session of 1851. The 74th New York State Legislature met from January 7 to April 17, and from June 10 to July 11, 1851, at Albany, New York.

Ex-Governor of New York Hamilton Fish was the candidate of the Whig Party, but was also a close friend of Henry Clay who was one of the leaders of the Fillmore faction in Washington, D.C. He was thus considered the only viable compromise candidate. The Silver Grays asked Fish to pledge his support for the Compromise, but Fish refused to make any comment, saying that he did not seek the office, and that the legislators should vote guided by Fish's known political history. Fish had earlier stated his opposition against the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 but was believed to support most of the remainder of the Compromise. Nevertheless, Silver Gray State Senator James W. Beekman declared that he would not vote for Fish for personal reasons, a dislike stemming from the time when they were fellow students at Columbia University.

The State Legislature met on February 4, the legally prescribed day, to elect a U.S. Senator. In the Assembly, Fish received a majority of 78 to 49. In the State Senate the vote stood 16 for Fish and 16 votes for a variety of candidates, among them Beekman's vote for Francis Granger. After a second ballot with the same result, Beekman moved to adjourn, which was carried by the casting vote of the lieutenant governor, and no nomination was made.

On February 14, Senator George B. Guinnip offered a resolution to declare John Adams Dix elected to the U.S. Senate. On motion of Senator George R. Babcock, the resolution was laid on the table, i.e. consideration was postponed.

On February 15, Guinnip again offered a resolution to declare John Adams Dix elected to the U.S. Senate. Senator Stephen H. Johnson offered an amendment to this resolution, declaring Daniel S. Dickinson elected. On motion of Senator Marius Schoonmaker, the resolution was laid on the table too.

On March 18, when two Democratic State Senators were absent, having gone to New York City, the Whigs persuaded the Democrats in a 14-hour session to re-open the U.S. Senate election, and Senate electionin the small hours of March 19 Fish was nominated by a vote of 16 to 12 (Beekman, Johnson (both Whigs), Thomas B. Carroll and William A. Dart (both Democratic) did not vote).

Fish was the choice of both the Assembly and the Senate, and was declared elected.

CandidatePartySenate
(32 members)
February 4
(first ballot)		Senate
(32 members)
February 4
(second ballot)		Assembly
(128 members)
February 4		Senate
(32 members)
March 19		Assembly
(128 members)
March 19
Hamilton FishWhigalign=center 16align=center 16align=center 78align=center 16align=center 68
John Adams DixDemocraticalign=center 1align=center 1align=center 29align=center 6align=center 6
James T. BradyDemocraticalign=center 7
Horatio SeymourDemocraticalign=center 1align=center 1align=center 4align=center 1
Francis GrangerWhigalign=center 1align=center 1align=center 2align=center 1
Aaron WardDemocraticalign=center 1align=center 1align=center 1
Daniel S. DickinsonDemocraticalign=center 1align=center 1align=center 1
Arphaxed LoomisDemocraticalign=center 1align=center 1align=center 1
Amasa J. ParkerDemocraticalign=center 1align=center 1align=center 1
David Buel Jr.Democraticalign=center 1align=center 1
Augustus C. HandDemocraticalign=center 1align=center 1
John HunterDemocraticalign=center 1align=center 1
John FineDemocraticalign=center 1align=center 1
Levi S. ChatfieldDemocraticalign=center 1align=center 1
John TracyDemocraticalign=center 1align=center 1
Abraham BockeeDemocraticalign=center 1align=center 1
George RathbunDemocraticalign=center 1align=center 1
Timothy JenkinsDemocraticalign=center 1align=center 1
William L. MarcyDemocraticalign=center 1
Washington Irvingalign=center 1
John L. Rikeralign=center 1
Erastus CorningDemocraticalign=center 1
Levi S. ChatfieldDemocraticalign=center 1
George Woodalign=center 1
Daniel Lordalign=center 1
James S. WadsworthDemocraticalign=center 1
William C. BouckDemocraticalign=center 1

Ohio

Incumbent Senator Thomas Corwin (Whig) resigned July 20, 1850 to become U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. Thomas Ewing (Whig) was appointed July 20, 1850 to finish the term. Benjamin Wade (Whig) was elected late on March 15, 1851, on the 37th ballot over Ewing.

Pennsylvania

See main article: 1851 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania election was held January 14, 1851. Richard Brodhead was elected by the Pennsylvania General Assembly to the United States Senate.[5]

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See also

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Direct Election of U.S. Senators (1913). National Archives and Records Administration. February 8, 2022.
  2. Book: Taylor . William Alexander . Ohio statesmen and annals of progress: from the year 1788 to the year 1900 .. . Taylor . Aubrey Clarence . State of Ohio . 1899 . 240.
  3. Web site: Our Campaigns - MD US Senate Race - Dec 00, 1849. 2022-11-05. www.ourcampaigns.com.
  4. Web site: Our Campaigns - MD US Senate Race - Jan 00, 1851. 2022-11-05. www.ourcampaigns.com.
  5. Web site: U.S. Senate Election - 14 January 1851 . December 22, 2012 . Wilkes University.

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