Washington's at-large congressional district explained

State:Washington
District Number:AL
Obsolete:yes
Created:1889
1913
1953
Eliminated:1909
1915
1959
Years:1889-1909
1913-1915
1953-1959
Population Year:1889
1910
1950

At different times in its history, Washington elected one or more U.S. representatives at-large statewide.

From statehood in 1889 until 1909, Washington elected all of its U.S. representatives statewide. In 1909, Washington was divided into congressional districts for purposes of electing representatives.

Following the 1950 census, Washington was granted a seventh seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, but the state legislature was unable to agree on a plan to create a geographic district for the seat until 1957, so the seat was filled by a representative elected statewide.[1]

From statehood in 1889 to 1893, Washington elected one representative at-large statewide.

From 1893 to 1903, Washington elected two representatives at-large statewide, then added a third seat in 1903. The third seat at large continued until 1909, when all representatives were elected from districts.

From 1913 to 1915, Washington elected two representatives at-large statewide, with the remaining three representatives elected from districts.

From 1953 to 1959, Washington elected one representative at-large statewide, with the remaining six representatives elected from districts.

After 1959, all representatives were elected from districts.

List of representatives

Cong
ress
YearsSeat ASeat BSeat C
RepresentativePartyElectoral historyRepresentativePartyElectoral historyRepresentativePartyElectoral history
nowrap November 20, 1889 –
March 3, 1891

John L. Wilson
RepublicanElected in 1889.
Re-elected in 1890.
Re-elected in 1892.
Retired to run for U.S. senator and resigned when elected.
Seat added in 1893Seat added in 1903
nowrap March 4, 1891 –
March 3, 1893
nowrap March 4, 1893 –
February 18, 1895

William H. Doolittle
RepublicanElected in 1892.
Re-elected in 1894.
Lost re-election.
nowrap February 18, 1895 –
March 3, 1895
Vacant
nowrap March 4, 1895 –
March 3, 1897
align=left
Samuel C. Hyde
RepublicanElected in 1894.
Lost re-election.
nowrap March 4, 1897 –
March 3, 1899
align=left
William C. Jones
Silver RepublicanElected in 1896.
Lost re-election.
align=left
J. Hamilton Lewis
DemocraticElected in 1896.
Lost re-election.
nowrap March 4, 1899 –
March 3, 1901

Wesley L. Jones
RepublicanElected in 1898.
Re-elected in 1900.
Re-elected in 1902.
Re-elected in 1904.
Re-elected in 1906.
Retired to run for U.S. senator.

Francis W. Cushman
RepublicanElected in 1898.
Re-elected in 1900.
Re-elected in 1902.
Re-elected in 1904.
Re-elected in 1906.
Redistricted to the .
nowrap March 4, 1901 –
March 3, 1903
nowrap March 4, 1903 –
March 3, 1905

William E. Humphrey
RepublicanElected in 1902.
Re-elected in 1904.
Re-elected in 1906.
Redistricted to the .
nowrap March 4, 1905 –
March 3, 1907
nowrap March 4, 1907 –
March 3, 1909
nowrap March 4, 1909 –
March 3, 1913
InactiveInactiveSeat eliminated
nowrap March 4, 1913 –
March 3, 1915
align=left
James W. Bryan
ProgressiveElected in 1912.
Lost renomination.
align=left
Jacob Falconer
ProgressiveElected in 1912.
Retired to run for U.S. senator.
nowrap March 4, 1916 –
January 2, 1953
InactiveSeat eliminated
nowrap January 3, 1953 –
January 3, 1957

Donald H. Magnuson
DemocraticElected in 1952.
Re-elected in 1954.
Redistricted to the .
nowrap January 3, 1955 –
January 3, 1957
nowrap January 3, 1957 –
January 3, 1959

References

Notes and References

  1. Holden, Ashley E. "Seventh District Ahead." The Spokesman-Review, Nov. 17, 1956, p. 4.