Michigan's at-large congressional district explained

State:Michigan
District Number:AL
Obsolete:yes
Created:1837
1913
1963
Eliminated:1843
1915
1965
Years:1837-1843
1913-1915
1963-1965
Population Year:1830
1910
1960

Michigan's at-large congressional district may refer to a few different occasions when a statewide at-large district was used for elections to the United States House of Representatives from Michigan.

Prior to Michigan's admittance as a state of the Union in 1837, congressional delegates for Michigan Territory were elected from Michigan Territory's at-large congressional district. The first elected U.S. representative from the state was elected October 5 and 6, 1835. However, due to Michigan's dispute with Ohio over the Toledo Strip, Congress refused to accept his credentials until it admitted Michigan to the Union as a state on January 26, 1837.

In 1912, Patrick H. Kelley was elected congressman at-large after Michigan gained one seat due to reapportionment following the 1910 census, but Michigan did not redraw its congressional districts until 1913.

In 1962, Neil Staebler was elected as an at-large candidate after the 1960 census indicated Michigan would gain a seat in the House of Representatives, but the 19th district had not been created at the time of the election.

List of members representing the district

MemberPartyTenureCong
ress
Electoral history
District created January 26, 1837
align=left
Isaac E. Crary
Democraticnowrap January 26, 1837 –
March 3, 1841
Elected in 1835.
Re-elected in 1837.
Re-elected in 1838.
Retired.
align=left
Jacob M. Howard
Whignowrap March 4, 1841 –
March 3, 1843
Elected in 1840.
Redistricted to the and lost re-election.
District inactive until after the 1910 United States census.
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Patrick H. Kelley
Republicannowrap March 4, 1913 –
March 3, 1915
Elected in 1912.
Redistricted to the .
Seat inactive until after the 1960 United States census.
align=left
Neil Staebler
Democraticnowrap January 3, 1963 –
January 3, 1965
Elected in 1962.
Retired to run for Governor of Michigan.
Seat eliminated January 3, 1965

References