1895 United States House of Representatives election in Utah explained

Election Name:1895 United States House of Representatives election in Utah
Country:Utah
Type:legislative
Ongoing:no
Next Election:1896 United States House of Representatives election in Utah
Next Year:1896
Seats For Election:Utah's single seat to the United States House of Representatives
Election Date:November 5, 1895
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Seats1:1
Popular Vote1:20,563
Percentage1:49.7%
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Seats2:0
Popular Vote2:19,666
Percentage2:47.5%
Party3:Prohibition Party
Seats3:0
Popular Vote3:1,150
Percentage3:2.8%

The United States House of Representatives election in Utah for the 54th Congress was held on November 5, 1895, in anticipation of statehood, which was achieved on January 4, 1896.

Background

Utah Territory had been represented by a delegate since 1851. Utah Territory was originally significantly larger than the current state, including most of Nevada, and portions of Colorado and Wyoming, which borders it held when the first delegate was elected, and was reduced in size in several stages. The territory had been colonized by Mormons who had sought to join the Union as the State of Deseret.

Due in large part to controversies over the beliefs of the Mormon majority, especially in regards to polygamy, the territory's admission as a state was delayed for a long time, and by the time of its admission, it was one of only four remaining territories in the contiguous United States.

See also