2011 United States House of Representatives elections explained

Election Name:2011 United States House of Representatives elections
Country:United States
Flag Year:1960
Type:legislative
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2010 United States House of Representatives elections
Previous Year:2010
Election Date:May 24, 2011 – September 13, 2011
Next Election:2012 United States House of Representatives elections
Next Year:2012
Majority Seats:218
Party1:Republican Party (US)
Image1:John Boehner official portrait.jpg
Leader Since1:January 3, 2007
Last Election1:242 seats
Seats1:2
Party2:Democratic Party (US)
Leader Since2:January 3, 2003
Last Election2:193 seats
Seats2:2
Map Size:320px

There were four special elections in 2011 to fill vacant seats in the United States House of Representatives.

Two seat switched parties, swapping from Republican to Democratic, and two other seats were held by the same parties.

Summary

Elections are listed by date and district.

|-! | Chris Lee| | 2008| | Incumbent resigned February 9, 2011 due to a personal scandal.[1]
New member elected May 24, 2011.[2]
Democratic gain.| nowrap |

|-! | Jane Harman| | 2000| | Incumbent resigned February 28, 2011 to become head of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.[3]
New member elected July 12, 2011.
Democratic hold.| nowrap |

|-! | Dean Heller| | 2006| | Incumbent resigned May 9, 2011 to join the U.S. Senate.[4]
New member elected September 13, 2011.[5]
Republican hold.| nowrap |

|-! | Anthony Weiner| | 1998| | Incumbent resigned June 21, 2011 due to personal scandals.[6]
New member elected September 13, 2011.[7]
Republican gain.| nowrap |

|}

New York's 26th congressional district

See main article: 2011 New York's 26th congressional district special election.

Incumbent representative Chris Lee resigned on February 9, 2011, after a scandal erupted over him soliciting a woman on Craigslist. The special election was held on May 24, 2011. In an upset victory, Democrat Kathy Hochul narrowly beat Republican Assemblywoman Jane Corwin with 47% of the vote.

California's 36th congressional district

See main article: 2011 California's 36th congressional district special election. Jane Harman resigned on February 28, 2011, to become head of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.[3] The special primary election occurred on May 17, 2011. Democrat Janice Hahn received the highest number of votes, with Republican Craig Huey taking second place. Because no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary, a special general election was held on July 12, 2011, between the top two vote recipients. The runoff election was won by Janice Hahn.[8]

Nevada's 2nd congressional district

See main article: 2011 Nevada's 2nd congressional district special election.

Incumbent representative Dean Heller resigned after being appointed to the United States Senate following the resignation of John Ensign.

Republican Mark Amodei won the election with 58% of the vote to Democrat Kate Marshall's 36%.

New York's 9th congressional district

See main article: 2011 New York's 9th congressional district special election.

Incumbent representative Anthony Weiner resigned on June 21, 2011, following a series of sexting scandals.

The special election was held on September 13, 2011. Despite the district being heavily Democratic, Republican businessman Bob Turner narrowly won against Democratic Assemblyman David Weprin by under 4,000 votes.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lee Resigns After Photos Surface . February 9, 2011 . Political Wire . February 9, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110212111600/http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/02/09/lee_resigns_after_photos_surface.html . February 12, 2011 . dead . mdy-all .
  2. Web site: Governor Cuomo Signs Bill to Ensure Military Voters are Treated Fairly in Special Elections, Calls Special Election in 26th Congressional District . March 9, 2011 . March 9, 2011 . Governor of New York's Press Office . March 22, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140322152047/http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/030911cuomosignsbill . dead .
  3. Web site: Jane Harman to resign from Congress. February 7, 2011. February 9, 2011. WashingtonPost.com. Chris. Cillizza.
  4. Web site: Sandoval appoints Heller to fill Ensign seat . https://web.archive.org/web/20110430151243/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/04/27/6544161-sandoval-appoints-heller-to-fill-ensign-seat . dead . April 30, 2011 . Mark . Murray . April 27, 2011 . NBC News.
  5. Web site: Sandoval Sets Fall Special to Fill Heller's Seat. April 29, 2011. April 29, 2011. Roll Call.
  6. Web site: Anthony Weiner Officially Steps Down Tuesday. June 20, 2011. June 21, 2011. USA Today. Catalina. Camia.
  7. Web site: Governor Cuomo Sets Special Elections for September 13 to Coincide with Statewide Primary Day . July 1, 2011 . July 1, 2011 . Governor of New York's Press Office . March 22, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140322000527/http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/070111specialelection . dead .
  8. News: Election 2011 by county. Associated Press. 2019-12-14. 2012-07-08. https://archive.today/20120708172338/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/elections/2011/by_county/CA_Page_0712.html?SITE=AP&SECTION=POLITICS. dead.