1850 United States elections explained

Year:1850
Type:Midterm elections
Incumbent President:Millard Fillmore (Whig)
Next Congress:32nd
Senate Control:Democratic hold
Senate Seats Contested:21 of 62 seats[1]
Senate Net Change:Democratic -2[2]
House Control:Democratic hold
House Seats Contested:All 233 voting seats
House Net Change:Democratic +7

The 1850 United States elections occurred part way through Whig President Millard Fillmore's term, during the Second Party System. Fillmore had become president on July 9, 1850, upon the death of his predecessor, Zachary Taylor. Members of the 32nd United States Congress were chosen in this election. Democrats kept control of both houses of Congress.

In the House, Democrats won several seats from the Whigs, building on their control of the chamber. Several supporters of the Georgia Platform also won election as Unionists.[3]

In the Senate, Whigs lost a small number of seats to Democrats and the Free Soil Party. Democrats retained a strong 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.