www.fgks.org   »   [go: up one dir, main page]
Jump to content

1858–59 United States Senate elections: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→‎top: "Other" generates a template
 
(65 intermediate revisions by 33 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|none}}
{{Infobox Election
{{Infobox election
| election_name = United States Senate elections, 1858 and 1859
| election_name = 1858–59 United States Senate elections
| country = United States
| country = United States
| flag_year = 1858
| flag_year = 1858
| type = legislative
| type = legislative
| >
| >
| previous_election = United States Senate elections, 1856 and 1857
| previous_election = 1856–57 United States Senate elections
| previous_year = 1856/57
| previous_year = {{Nowrap|1856 & 1857}}
| next_election = United States Senate elections, 1860 and 1861
| next_election = 1860–61 United States Senate elections
| next_year = 1860/61
| next_year = {{Nowrap|1860 & 1861}}
| seats_for_election = 22 of the 66 seats in the [[United States Senate]] (with special elections)
| seats_for_election = 22 of the 66 seats in the [[United States Senate]] (with special elections)
| majority_seats = 34
| majority_seats = 34
| election_date = Various dates
| election_date = Various dates
| image_size = 100px
| image_size = 100px
| 1blank = Seats up
| 1blank = Seats up
| party1 = Democratic Party (US)
| image1 =
| last_election1 = '''34 seats'''
| seats_before1 = '''42'''
| seats1 = '''13'''
| seats_after1 = '''38'''
| seat_change1 = {{decrease}} 4
| 1data1 = 17
| party2 = Republican Party (US)
| image2 =
| last_election2 = 15 seats
| seats_before2 = 20
| seats2 = 8
| seats_after2 = 25
| seat_change2 = {{increase}} 5
| 1data2 = 3
| party4 = Know Nothing
| image4 =
| last_election4 = 2 seats
| seats_before4 = 4
| seats4 = 0
| seats_after4 = 2
| seat_change4 = {{decrease}} 2
| 1data4 = 2
| party5 = Other
| image5 =
| last_election5 = 4 seats
| seats_before5 = 0
| seats5 = 0
| seats_after5 = 0
| seat_change5 = {{steady}}
| 1data5 = 0
| title = Majority Party
| before_election =
| before_party = Democratic Party (US)
| after_election =
| after_party = Democratic Party (US)
| map_image = File:1858senatemap.svg
| map_caption = '''Results of the elections:'''<br />{{legend0|#0671B0|Democratic gain}} {{legend0|#92C5DE|Democratic hold}}<br />{{legend0|#CA0120|Republican gain}} {{legend0|#F48882|Republican hold}}<br />{{legend0|#000000|Legislature failed to elect}}
| map_size = 380px
}}
[[File:Lincoln Douglas Debates 1958 issue-4c.jpg|thumb|300px|U.S. postage stamp, 1958 issue, commemorating the Lincoln and Douglas debates]]
The '''1858–59 United States Senate elections''' were held on various dates in various states. As these [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] elections were prior to the ratification of the [[Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Seventeenth Amendment]] in 1913, senators were chosen by [[State legislature (United States)|state legislatures]]. Senators were elected over a wide range of time throughout 1858 and 1859, and a seat may have been filled months late or remained vacant due to [[Gridlock (politics)|legislative deadlock]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/17th-amendment|title=17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Direct Election of U.S. Senators (1913)|website=National Archives and Records Administration|date=February 8, 2022}}</ref> In these elections, terms were up for the senators in [[Classes of United States senators|Class 2]].


The [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] gained five additional seats in the Senate, but the Democrats retained their majority. That majority would erode in 1860 with the secession of the southern states leading up to the [[American Civil War|Civil War]].
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| last_election1 = '''34 seats'''
| seats_before1 = '''42'''
| seats1 = '''13'''
| seats_after1 = '''38'''
| seat_change1 = {{decrease}} 4
| 1data1 = 17

| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| last_election2 = 15 seats
| seats_before2 = 20
| seats2 = 8
| seats_after2 = 25
| seat_change2 = {{increase}} 5
| 1data2 = 3

| party4 = Know-Nothing
| last_election4 = 2 seats
| seats_before4 = 4
| seats4 = 0
| seats_after4 = 2
| seat_change4 = {{decrease}} 2
| 1data4 = 2

| party5 = Other
| last_election5 = 4 seats
| seats_before5 = 0
| seats5 = 0
| seats_after5 = 0
| seat_change5 = {{steady}}
| 1data5 = 0

| title = Majority Party
| before_election = Democratic Party
| after_election = Democratic Party
}}
[[File:Lincoln Douglas Debates 1958 issue-4c.jpg|thumb|300px|U.S. Postage, 1958 issue, commemorating the Lincoln and Douglas debates.]]
The '''United States Senate elections of 1858 and 1859''' were elections which had the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] gain five additional seats in the [[United States Senate]], but the Democrats retained their majority. That majority would erode in 1860 with the secession of the southern states leading up to the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]. In Illinois, incumbent [[Stephen A. Douglas]] (D) and challenger [[Abraham Lincoln]] (R) held a series of seven debates, known as the "[[Lincoln–Douglas debates]]."


In Illinois, incumbent [[Stephen A. Douglas]] (D) and challenger [[Abraham Lincoln]] (R) held a series of seven debates, known as the "[[Lincoln–Douglas debates]]."
As this election was prior to ratification of the [[Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|seventeenth amendment]], Senators were chosen by [[State legislature (United States)|State legislatures]].


== Results summary ==
== Results summary ==
Senate Party Division, [[36th United States Congress|36th Congress]] (1859-1861)
Senate party division, [[36th United States Congress|36th Congress]] (1859–1861)


* Majority Party: Democratic (38–25)
* Majority party: Democratic (38–25)
* Minority Party: Republican (25–26)
* Minority party: Republican (25–26)
* Other Parties: [[Know Nothing|American]] (2)
* Other parties: [[Know Nothing|American]] (2)
* '''Total Seats: 66–68'''
* '''Total seats: 66–68'''


==Change in Senate composition==
==Change in Senate composition==
Line 291: Line 298:


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Minnesota|Minnesota]]<br/>(Class 1)
! [[List of United States senators from Minnesota|Minnesota]]<br/>(Class 1)
| colspan=3 | New state
| colspan=3 rowspan=2 | ''New state''
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Minnesota's first Senators were [[United States Senate elections in Minnesota, 1858|elected]] '''May 11, 1858'''.<br/>'''Democratic gain'''.
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Minnesota's first senators were <!--[[1858 United States Senate elections in Minnesota|elected]]-->elected '''May 11, 1858'''.<br/>'''Democratic gain'''.
| nowrap | '''√ [[Henry M. Rice]]''' (Democratic)<br/>{{dm}}
| nowrap | {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}'''{{aye}} [[Henry M. Rice]]''' (Democratic)<br/>{{data missing|date=February 2020}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Minnesota|Minnesota]]<br/>(Class 2)
! [[List of United States senators from Minnesota|Minnesota]]<br/>(Class 2)
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Minnesota's first senators were <!--[[1858 United States Senate elections in Minnesota|elected]]-->elected '''May 11, 1858'''.<br/>'''Democratic gain'''.
| colspan=3 | New state
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Minnesota's first Senators were [[United States Senate elections in Minnesota, 1858|elected]] '''May 11, 1858'''.<br/>'''Democratic gain'''.
| nowrap | '''√ [[James Shields (politician, born 1810)|James Shields]]''' (Democratic)<br/>{{dm}}
* {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[James Shields (politician, born 1810)|James Shields]]''' (Democratic)
* {{data missing|date=February 2020}}
}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from North Carolina|North Carolina]]<br/>(Class 3)
! [[List of United States senators from Oregon|Oregon]]<br/>(Class 2)
| colspan=3 rowspan=2 | ''New state''
| [[Thomas Clingman]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Oregon's first senators were <!--[[1859 United States Senate elections in Oregon|elected]]-->elected in 1858 in advance of statehood.<ref name=OregonSpec>{{Cite web|url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1858/08/13/78859210.html?zoom=15.1|title=Two New Senators.|website=The New York Times}}</ref><br/>'''Democratic gain'''.
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| norwap | 1858 (Appointed)
* {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[Delazon Smith]]''' (Democratic)
| Interim appointee [[United States Senate special election in North Carolina, 1858|elected]] '''November 23, 1858''' to finish the term.<ref name=Byrd150>{{cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PeHByMYxVm8C | title= The Senate, 1789-1989: Historical Statistics, 1789-1992 | edition=volume 4 Bicentennial | first1= Robert C. | last1= Byrd | author-link1=Robert Byrd | first2= Wendy | last2=Wolff | publisher=[[U.S. Government Printing Office]] | date=October 1, 1993 }}, page 150</ref>
* {{data missing|date=February 2020}}
| '''√ [[Thomas Clingman]]''' (Democratic)<br/>{{dm}}
}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from South Carolina|South Carolina]]<br/>(Class 2)
! [[List of United States senators from Oregon|Oregon]]<br/>(Class 3)
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Oregon's first senators were <!--[[1859 United States Senate elections in Oregon|elected]]-->elected in 1858 in advance of statehood.<ref name=OregonSpec/><br/>'''Democratic gain'''.
| [[Arthur P. Hayne]]
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
* {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[Joseph Lane]]''' (Democratic)
| nowrap | 1858 (Appointed)
* {{data missing|date=February 2020}}
| {{Party shading/Hold}} | Interim appointee retired when successor elected.<br/>Winner [[United States Senate special election in South Carolina, 1858|elected]] '''December 3, 1858'''.<br/>Democratic hold.<br/>Winner was also elected to the next term, see below.
}}
| nowrap | '''√ [[James Chesnut, Jr.]]''' (Democratic)<br/>{{dm}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Oregon|Oregon]]<br/>(Class 2)
! [[List of United States senators from North Carolina|North Carolina]]<br/>(Class 3)
| [[Thomas Clingman]]
| colspan=3 | New state
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Oregon's first Senators were [[United States Senate elections in Oregon, 1859|elected]] '''February 14, 1859'''.<br/>'''Democratic gain'''.
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| 1858 {{Small|(Appointed)}}
| nowrap | '''√ [[Delazon Smith]]''' (Democratic)<br/>{{dm}}
| Interim appointee <!--[[1858 United States Senate special election in North Carolina|elected]]-->elected '''November 23, 1858''' to finish the term.<ref name=Byrd150>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PeHByMYxVm8C | title= The Senate, 1789-1989: Historical Statistics, 1789-1992 | edition=volume 4 Bicentennial | first1= Robert C. | last1= Byrd | author-link1=Robert Byrd | first2= Wendy | last2=Wolff | publisher=[[U.S. Government Printing Office]] | date=October 1, 1993 | isbn= 978-0-16-063256-3 }}, page 150</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1858/05/13/78535493.html?zoom=16|title=Hon. Thomas L. Clingman--The new Senator from North Carolina.|website=The New York Times}}</ref>
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
* {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[Thomas Clingman]]''' (Democratic)
* {{data missing|date=February 2020}}
}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Oregon|Oregon]]<br/>(Class 3)
! [[List of United States senators from South Carolina|South Carolina]]<br/>(Class 2)
| [[Arthur P. Hayne]]
| colspan=3 | New state
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Oregon's first Senators were [[United States Senate elections in Oregon, 1859|elected]] '''February 14, 1859'''.<br/>'''Democratic gain'''.
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| 1858 {{Small|(Appointed)}}
| nowrap | '''√ [[Joseph Lane]]''' (Democratic)<br/>{{dm}}
| {{Party shading/Democratic/Hold}} | Interim appointee retired when successor elected.<br/>Winner <!--[[1858 United States Senate special election in South Carolina|elected]]-->elected '''December 3, 1858'''.<br/>Democratic hold.<br/>Winner was also elected to the next term; see below.
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
* {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[James Chesnut Jr.]]''' (Democratic)
* {{data missing|date=February 2020}}
}}


|}
|}
Line 334: Line 354:
===Races leading to the 36th Congress===
===Races leading to the 36th Congress===


In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1859; ordered by state.
In these regular elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1859; ordered by state.


All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats.
All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats.
Line 352: Line 372:


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Alabama|Alabama]]
! [[List of United States senators from Alabama|Alabama]]
| [[Clement Claiborne Clay]]
| [[Clement Claiborne Clay]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| nowrap | [[United States Senate special election in Alabama, December 1853|1853 (Special)]]
| [[November 1853 United States Senate election in Alabama|1853 {{Small|(special)}}]]
| Incumbent [[United States Senate election in Alabama, 1858|re-elected]] in 1858.
| Incumbent <!--[[1858 United States Senate election in Alabama|re-elected]]-->re-elected in 1858.
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| nowrap | '''√ [[Clement Claiborne Clay]]''' (Democratic)<br/>{{dm}}
* {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[Clement Claiborne Clay]]''' (Democratic)
* {{data missing|date=February 2020}}
}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Arkansas|Arkansas]]
! [[List of United States senators from Arkansas|Arkansas]]
| [[William K. Sebastian]]
| [[William K. Sebastian]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| nowrap | 1848 (Appointed)<br/>[[United States Senate special election in Arkansas, 1848|1848 (Special)]]<br/>[[United States Senate election in Arkansas, 1853|1853]]
| 1848 {{Small|(Appointed)}}<br/>[[1848 United States Senate special election in Arkansas|1848 {{Small|(special)}}]]<br/>[[1853 United States Senate election in Arkansas|1853]]
| Incumbent [[United States Senate election in Arkansas, 1859|re-elected]] in 1859.
| Incumbent <!--[[1859 United States Senate election in Arkansas|re-elected]]-->re-elected in 1859.
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| nowrap | '''√ [[William K. Sebastian]]''' (Democratic)<br/>{{dm}}
* {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[William K. Sebastian]]''' (Democratic)
* {{data missing|date=February 2020}}
}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Delaware|Delaware]]
! [[List of United States senators from Delaware|Delaware]]
| [[Martin W. Bates]]
| [[Martin W. Bates]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| nowrap | [[United States Senate special election in Delaware, 1857|1857 (Special)]]
| [[1857 United States Senate special election in Delaware|1857 {{Small|(special)}}]]
| {{Party shading/Hold}} | Incumbent lost re-election.<br/>Winner [[United States Senate election in Delaware, 1858|elected]] in 1858.<br/>Democratic hold.
| {{Party shading/Democratic/Hold}} | Incumbent lost re-election.<br/>New senator <!--[[1858 United States Senate election in Delaware|elected]]-->elected in 1858.<br/>Democratic hold.
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| nowrap | '''√ [[Willard Saulsbury, Sr.]]''' (Democratic)<br/>{{dm}}
* {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[Willard Saulsbury Sr.]]''' (Democratic)
* {{data missing|date=February 2020}}
}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Georgia|Georgia]]
! [[List of United States senators from Georgia|Georgia]]
| [[Robert Toombs]]
| [[Robert Toombs]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| nowrap | [[United States Senate election in Georgia, 1852|1852]]
| [[1852 United States Senate election in Georgia|1852]]
| Incumbent [[United States Senate election in Georgia, 1858|re-elected]] in 1858.
| Incumbent <!--[[1858 United States Senate election in Georgia|re-elected]]-->re-elected in 1858.
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| nowrap | '''√ [[Robert Toombs]]''' (Democratic)<br/>{{dm}}
* {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[Robert Toombs]]''' (Democratic)
* {{data missing|date=February 2020}}
}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Illinois|Illinois]]
! [[List of United States senators from Illinois|Illinois]]
| [[Stephen A. Douglas]]
| [[Stephen A. Douglas]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| nowrap | [[United States Senate election in Illinois, 1846|1846]]<br/>[[United States Senate election in Illinois, 1852|1852]]
| [[1846 United States Senate election in Illinois|1846]]<br/>[[1853 United States Senate election in Illinois|1852]]
| Incumbent [[United States Senate election in Illinois, 1858|re-elected]] in 1858.
| Incumbent <!--[[1859 United States Senate election in Illinois|re-elected]]-->re-elected January 5, 1859.
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| nowrap | '''√ [[Stephen A. Douglas]]''' (Democratic)<br/>[[Abraham Lincoln]] (Republican)
* {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[Stephen A. Douglas]]''' (Democratic) 54
* {{Party stripe|Republican Party (US)}}[[Abraham Lincoln]] (Republican) 46<ref>{{cite book |title=Journal of the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the State of Illinois, 1859. |publisher=Bailache & Baker, Printers |location=Springfield, IL |year=1859 |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=chi.15544259;view=1up;seq=36 }}</ref>
}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Iowa|Iowa]]
! [[List of United States senators from Iowa|Iowa]]
| [[George W. Jones]]
| [[George Wallace Jones]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| nowrap | [[United States Senate elections in Iowa, 1848|1848]]<br/>[[United States Senate election in Iowa, 1852|1852]]
| [[1848 United States Senate elections in Iowa|1848]]<br/>[[1852 United States Senate election in Iowa|1852]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Incumbent lost renomination.<br/>Winner [[United States Senate election in Iowa, 1858|elected]] January 26, 1858.<ref>{{cite book | title=History of Senatorial Elections in Iowa: A Study in American Politics
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Incumbent lost renomination.<br/>New senator <!--[[1858 United States Senate election in Iowa|elected]]-->elected January 26, 1858.<ref>{{cite book | title=History of Senatorial Elections in Iowa: A Study in American Politics
| first= Dan Elbert |last= Clark |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=jXJDAAAAIAAJ | page=119}}</ref><br/>'''Republican gain'''.
| first= Dan Elbert |last= Clark | date= 1913 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=jXJDAAAAIAAJ | page=119}}</ref><br/>'''Republican gain'''.
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| nowrap | '''√ [[James W. Grimes]]''' (Republican)<br/>[[Benjamin M. Samuels]] (Democratic)
* {{Party stripe|Republican Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[James W. Grimes]]''' (Republican) 64
* {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}[[Benjamin M. Samuels]] (Democratic) 41<ref>{{cite book |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=1858 |title=Journal of the House of Representatives of the Seventh General Assembly of the State of Iowa |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b2881579&seq=143 |location=Des Moines |publisher=J. Teesdale, State Printer |page=131 |isbn=}}</ref>
}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Kentucky|Kentucky]]
! [[List of United States senators from Kentucky|Kentucky]]
| [[John Burton Thompson|John B. Thompson]]
| [[John Burton Thompson|John B. Thompson]]
| {{Party shading/Know Nothing}} | Know Nothing
| {{Party shading/Know Nothing}} | Know Nothing
| [[1851 United States Senate election in Kentucky|1851 {{Small|(Early)}}]]
| nowrap | 1852 or 1853
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Unknown if incumbent retired or lost re-election.<br/>Winner [[United States Senate election in Kentucky, 1858|elected]] in January 1858.<br/>'''Democratic gain'''.
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Unknown if incumbent retired or lost re-election.<br/>New senator <!--[[1858 United States Senate election in Kentucky|elected]]-->elected in January 1858.<br/>'''Democratic gain'''.
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| nowrap | '''√ [[Lazarus W. Powell]]''' (Democratic)<br/>{{dm}}
* {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[Lazarus W. Powell]]''' (Democratic)
* {{data missing|date=February 2020}}
}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Louisiana|Louisiana]]
! [[List of United States senators from Louisiana|Louisiana]]
| [[Judah P. Benjamin]]
| [[Judah P. Benjamin]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| nowrap | [[United States Senate election in Louisiana, 1852|1852]]
| [[1852 United States Senate election in Louisiana|1852]]
| Incumbent [[United States Senate election in Louisiana, 1859|re-elected]] in 1859.
| Incumbent <!--[[1859 United States Senate election in Louisiana|re-elected]]-->re-elected in 1859.
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| nowrap | '''√ [[Judah P. Benjamin]]''' (Whig)<br/>{{dm}}
* {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[Judah P. Benjamin]]''' (Democratic)
* {{data missing|date=February 2020}}
}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Maine|Maine]]
! [[List of United States senators from Maine|Maine]]
| [[William P. Fessenden]]
| [[William P. Fessenden]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| nowrap | [[United States Senate special election in Maine, 1854|1854 (Special)]]
| [[1854 United States Senate special election in Maine|1854 {{Small|(special)}}]]
| Incumbent [[United States Senate election in Maine, 1859|re-elected]] in 1859.
| Incumbent <!--[[1859 United States Senate election in Maine|re-elected]]-->re-elected in 1859.
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| nowrap | '''√ [[William P. Fessenden]]''' (Republican)<br/>{{dm}}
* {{Party stripe|Republican Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[William P. Fessenden]]''' (Republican)
* {{data missing|date=February 2020}}
}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Massachusetts|Massachusetts]]
! [[List of United States senators from Massachusetts|Massachusetts]]
| [[Henry Wilson]]
| [[Henry Wilson]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| nowrap | [[United States Senate special election in Massachusetts, 1855|1855 (Special)]]
| [[1855 United States Senate special election in Massachusetts|1855 {{Small|(special)}}]]
| Incumbent [[United States Senate election in Massachusetts, 1859|re-elected]] in 1859.
| Incumbent <!--[[1859 United States Senate election in Massachusetts|re-elected]]-->re-elected in 1859.
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| nowrap | '''√ [[Henry Wilson]]''' (Republican)<br/>{{dm}}
* {{Party stripe|Republican Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[Henry Wilson]]''' (Republican)
* {{data missing|date=February 2020}}
}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Michigan|Michigan]]
! [[List of United States senators from Michigan|Michigan]]
| [[Charles E. Stuart]]
| [[Charles E. Stuart]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| nowrap | [[United States Senate election in Michigan, 1853|1853]]
| [[1853 United States Senate election in Michigan|1853]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Incumbent retired.<br/>Winner [[United States Senate election in Michigan, 1858|elected]] in 1858.<br/>'''Republican gain'''.
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Incumbent retired.<br/>New senator <!--[[1858 United States Senate election in Michigan|elected]]-->elected in 1858.<br/>'''Republican gain'''.
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| nowrap | '''√ [[Kinsley S. Bingham]]''' (Republican)<br/>{{dm}}
* {{Party stripe|Republican Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[Kinsley S. Bingham]]''' (Republican)
* {{data missing|date=February 2020}}
}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Minnesota|Minnesota]]
! [[List of United States senators from Minnesota|Minnesota]]
| [[James Shields (politician, born 1810)|James Shields]]
| [[James Shields (politician, born 1810)|James Shields]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| nowrap | 1848 or 1849 (Illinois)<br/>1849 (Illinois: Election voided)<br/>[[United States Senate special election in Illinois, 1849|1849 (Illinois: Special)]]<br/>1855 (Illinois: Lost)<br/>[[United States Senate elections in Minnesota, 1858|1858 (Minnesota)]]
| [[1849 United States Senate election in Illinois|1849 {{Small|(Illinois)}}]]<br/>1849 {{Small|(Illinois: Election voided)}}<br/>[[1849 United States Senate special election in Illinois|1849 {{Small|(Illinois: Special)}}]]<br/>1855 {{Small|(Illinois: Lost)}}<br/>[[1858 United States Senate elections in Minnesota|1858 {{Small|(Minnesota)}}]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Incumbent lost re-election.<br/>Winner elected in 1858 or 1859.<br/>'''Republican gain'''.
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Incumbent lost re-election.<br/>New senator elected December 15, 1859.<ref name=NYTMinn/><br/>'''Republican gain'''.
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| nowrap | '''√ [[Morton S. Wilkinson]]''' (Republican)<br/>[[James Shields (politician, born 1810)|James Shields]] (Democratic)<br/>{{dm}}
* {{Party stripe|Republican Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[Morton S. Wilkinson]]''' (Republican) 79 votes
* {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}[[James Shields (politician, born 1810)|James Shields]] (Democratic) 33 votes
* {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}[[Willis A. Gorman|W. A. Gorman]] (Democratic) 1 vote<ref name=NYTMinn>{{Cite web|url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1859/12/27/106104429.html?zoom=16|title=From Minnesota.; ELECTION OF A UNITED STATES SENATOR--THREATENED IMPEACHMENT OF THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR.|website=The New York Times}}</ref>
}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Mississippi|Mississippi]]
! [[List of United States senators from Mississippi|Mississippi]]
| [[Albert G. Brown]]
| [[Albert G. Brown]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| nowrap | [[United States Senate special election in Mississippi, 1854|1854 (Special)]]
| [[1854 United States Senate special election in Mississippi|1854 {{Small|(special)}}]]
| Incumbent [[United States Senate election in Mississippi, 1859|re-elected]] in 1859.
| Incumbent <!--[[1859 United States Senate election in Mississippi|re-elected]]-->re-elected in 1859.
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| nowrap | '''√ [[Albert G. Brown]]''' (Democratic)<br/>{{dm}}
* {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[Albert G. Brown]]''' (Democratic)
* {{data missing|date=February 2020}}
}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from New Hampshire|New Hampshire]]
! [[List of United States senators from New Hampshire|New Hampshire]]
| [[John P. Hale]]
| [[John P. Hale]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| nowrap | [[United States Senate election in New Hampshire, 1846|1846]]<br/>1853 (Retired)<br/>[[United States Senate special election in New Hampshire, 1855|1855]]
| [[1846 United States Senate election in New Hampshire|1846]]<br/>1853 {{Small|(Retired)}}<br/>[[1855 United States Senate special election in New Hampshire|1855]]
| Incumbent [[United States Senate election in New Hampshire, 1859|re-elected]] in 1859.
| Incumbent <!--[[1859 United States Senate election in New Hampshire|re-elected]]-->re-elected in 1859.
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| nowrap | '''√ [[John P. Hale]]''' (Republican)<br/>{{dm}}
* {{Party stripe|Republican Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[John P. Hale]]''' (Republican)
* {{data missing|date=February 2020}}
}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from New Jersey|New Jersey]]
! [[List of United States senators from New Jersey|New Jersey]]
| [[William Wright (United States politician)|William Wright]]
| [[William Wright (United States politician)|William Wright]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| nowrap | 1852 or 1853
| 1852 or 1853
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Incumbent lost re-election.<br/>Winner [[United States Senate election in New Jersey, 1858|elected]] in 1858.<br/>'''Republican gain'''.
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Incumbent lost re-election.<br/>New senator <!--[[1858 United States Senate election in New Jersey|elected]]-->elected in 1858.<br/>'''Republican gain'''.
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| nowrap | '''√ [[John C. Ten Eyck]]''' (Republican)<br/>{{dm}}
* {{Party stripe|Republican Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[John C. Ten Eyck]]''' (Republican)
* {{data missing|date=February 2020}}
}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from North Carolina|North Carolina]]
! [[List of United States senators from North Carolina|North Carolina]]
| [[David Settle Reid|David Reid]]
| [[David Settle Reid|David Reid]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| nowrap | [[United States Senate special election in North Carolina, 1854|1854]]
| [[1854 United States Senate special election in North Carolina|1854]]
| {{Party shading/Hold}} | Incumbent lost re-election.<br/>Winner elected in 1858 or 1859.<br/>Democratic hold.
| {{Party shading/Democratic/Hold}} | Incumbent lost re-election.<br/>New senator elected in 1858 or 1859.<br/>Democratic hold.
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| nowrap | '''√ [[Thomas Bragg]]''' (Democratic)<br/>{{dm}}
* {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[Thomas Bragg]]''' (Democratic)
* {{data missing|date=February 2020}}
}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Oregon|Oregon]]
! [[List of United States senators from Oregon|Oregon]]
| [[Delazon Smith]]
| [[Delazon Smith]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| nowrap | [[United States Senate elections in Oregon, 1859|1859]]
| [[1859 United States Senate elections in Oregon|1859]]
| {{Party shading/Loss}} | Incumbent lost re-election.<br/>Legislature failed to elect.<br/>'''Democratic loss'''.<br/>Seat would remain vacant until [[United States Senate special election in Oregon, 1860|1860]].
| {{Party shading/Loss}} | Incumbent lost re-election.<br/>Legislature failed to elect.<br/>'''Democratic loss'''.<br/>Seat would remain vacant until [[1860 United States Senate special election in Oregon|1860]].
| [[Delazon Smith]] (Democratic)<br/>{{dm}}
| {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}[[Delazon Smith]] (Democratic)<br/>{{data missing|date=February 2020}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Rhode Island|Rhode Island]]
! [[List of United States senators from Rhode Island|Rhode Island]]
| [[Philip Allen (politician)|Philip Allen]]
| [[Philip Allen (Rhode Island politician)|Philip Allen]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| nowrap | [[United States Senate election in Rhode Island, 1853|1853]]
| [[1853 United States Senate election in Rhode Island|1853]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Incumbent retired.<br/>Winner [[United States Senate election in Rhode Island, 1858|elected]] in 1858.<br/>'''Republican gain'''.
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Incumbent retired.<br/>New senator <!--[[1858 United States Senate election in Rhode Island|elected]]-->elected in 1858.<br/>'''Republican gain'''.
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| nowrap | '''√ [[Henry B. Anthony]]''' (Republican)<br/>{{dm}}
* {{Party stripe|Republican Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[Henry B. Anthony]]''' (Republican)
* {{data missing|date=February 2020}}
}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from South Carolina|South Carolina]]
! [[List of United States senators from South Carolina|South Carolina]]
| [[Arthur P. Hayne]]
| [[Arthur P. Hayne]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| nowrap | 1858 (Appointed)
| 1858 {{Small|(Appointed)}}
| {{Party shading/Hold}} | Interim appointee retired.<br/>Winner [[United States Senate election in South Carolina, 1858|elected]] December 3, 1858.<br/>Democratic hold.<br/>Winner was also elected to finish the current term, see above.
| {{Party shading/Democratic/Hold}} | Interim appointee retired.<br/>New senator <!--[[1858 United States Senate election in South Carolina|elected]]-->elected December 3, 1858.<br/>Democratic hold.<br/>Winner was also elected to finish the current term, see above.
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| nowrap | '''√ [[James Chesnut, Jr.]]''' (Democratic)<br/>{{dm}}
* {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[James Chesnut Jr.]]''' (Democratic)
* {{data missing|date=February 2020}}
}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Tennessee|Tennessee]]
! [[List of United States senators from Tennessee|Tennessee]]
| [[John Bell (Tennessee politician)|John Bell]]
| [[John Bell (Tennessee politician)|John Bell]]
| {{Party shading/Know Nothing}} | Know Nothing
| {{Party shading/Know Nothing}} | Know Nothing
| nowrap | [[United States Senate election in Tennessee, 1847|1847]]<br/>[[United States Senate election in Tennessee, 1853|1853]]
| [[1847 United States Senate election in Tennessee|1847]]<br/>[[1853 United States Senate election in Tennessee|1853]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Unknown if incumbent retired or lost re-election.<br/>Winner [[United States Senate election in Tennessee, 1858|elected]] in 1858.<br/>'''Democratic gain'''.
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Unknown if incumbent retired or lost re-election.<br/>New senator <!--[[1858 United States Senate election in Tennessee|elected]]-->elected in 1858.<br/>'''Democratic gain'''.
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| '''√ [[Alfred O. P. Nicholson]]''' (Democratic)<br/>{{dm}}
* {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[Alfred O. P. Nicholson]]''' (Democratic)
* {{data missing|date=February 2020}}
}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Texas|Texas]]
! [[List of United States senators from Texas|Texas]]
| [[Sam Houston]]
| [[Sam Houston]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| nowrap | [[United States Senate elections in Texas, 1846|1846]]<br/>[[United States Senate election in Texas, 1847|1847]]<br/>[[United States Senate election in Texas, 1853|1853]]
| [[1846 United States Senate elections in Texas|1846]]<br/>[[1847 United States Senate election in Texas|1847]]<br/>[[1853 United States Senate election in Texas|1853]]
| {{Party shading/Hold}} | Incumbent retired.<br/>Winner [[United States Senate election in Texas, 1859|elected]] in 1859.<br/>Democratic hold.
| {{Party shading/Democratic/Hold}} | Incumbent retired.<br/>New senator <!--[[1859 United States Senate election in Texas|elected]]-->elected in 1859.<br/>Democratic hold.
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| '''√ [[John Hemphill (senator)|John Hemphill]]''' (Democratic)<br/>{{dm}}
* {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[John Hemphill (senator)|John Hemphill]]''' (Democratic)
* {{data missing|date=February 2020}}
}}


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Virginia|Virginia]]
! [[List of United States senators from Virginia|Virginia]]
| [[Robert M. T. Hunter]]
| [[Robert M. T. Hunter]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| nowrap | [[United States Senate election in Virginia, 1846|1846]]<br/>[[United States Senate election in Virginia, 1852|1852]]
| [[1846 United States Senate election in Virginia|1846]]<br/>[[1852 United States Senate election in Virginia|1852]]
| Incumbent [[United States Senate election in Virginia, 1858|re-elected]] in 1858.
| Incumbent <!--[[1858 United States Senate election in Virginia|re-elected]]-->re-elected in 1858.
| nowrap | {{Plainlist |
| nowrap | '''√ [[Robert M. T. Hunter]]''' (Democratic)<br/>{{dm}}
* {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}{{Aye}} '''[[Robert M. T. Hunter]]''' (Democratic)
* {{data missing|date=February 2020}}
}}


|}
|}


===Race leading to the 37th Congress===
===Elections during the 36th Congress===
In this election, the winner was elected in 1859 on or after March 4; ordered by date.

In this general election, the winner was elected for the term beginning March 4, 1861.

This election involved a Class 3 seat.


{| class=wikitable
{| class=wikitable
Line 547: Line 628:
! Senator
! Senator
! Party
! Party
! Electoral<br/>history
! Electoral history


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Kentucky|Kentucky]]<br/>(Class 3)
! [[List of United States senators from Texas|Texas]]<br/>(Class 1)
| [[John J. Crittenden]]
| [[Matthias Ward]]
| {{Party shading/Know Nothing}} | Know Nothing
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| nowrap | 1858 {{small|(Appointed)}}
| nowrap | [[United States Senate special election in Kentucky, 1817|1817]]<br/>1819 (Resigned)<br/>[[United States Senate election in Kentucky, 1835|1835]]<br/>1841 (Retired)<br/>1842 (Appointed)<br/>1842 or 1843 (Special)<br/>[[United States Senate election in Kentucky, 1843|1843]]<br/>1848 (Resigned)<br/>[[United States Senate election in Kentucky, 1853|1853]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Incumbent retired.<br/>Winner [[United States Senate election in Kentucky, 1859|elected]] '''December 12, 1859''', far in advance of the term.<br/>Winner wasn't seated until term began March 4, 1861.<br/>'''Democratic gain'''.
| {{Party shading/Democratic/Hold}} | Interim appointee lost nomination to finish the term.<br/>Winner was [[1859 United States Senate special election in Texas|elected]] '''December 5, 1859'''.<br/>Democratic hold.
| nowrap | '''√ [[John C. Breckinridge]]''' (Democratic)<br/>{{dm}}
| nowrap | '''{{aye}} [[Louis Wigfall]]''' (Democratic)<br/>{{data missing|date=February 2020}}


|}
|}


===Elections during the 36th Congress===
===Race leading to the 37th Congress===

In this election, the winner was elected in 1859 on or after March 4; ordered by date.
In this regular election, the winner was elected for the term beginning March 4, 1861.

This election involved a Class 3 seat.


{| class=wikitable
{| class=wikitable
Line 573: Line 657:
! Senator
! Senator
! Party
! Party
! Electoral history
! Electoral<br/>history


|-
|-
| [[List of United States Senators from Texas|Texas]]<br/>(Class 1)
! [[List of United States senators from Kentucky|Kentucky]]<br/>(Class 3)
| [[Matthias Ward]]
| [[John J. Crittenden]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{Party shading/Know Nothing}} | Know Nothing
| nowrap | [[1816 United States Senate election in Kentucky|1816]]<br/>1819 {{small|(Resigned)}}<br/>[[1835 United States Senate election in Kentucky|1835]]<br/>1841 {{small|(Retired)}}<br/>1842 {{small|(Appointed)}}<br/>1842 or 1843 {{small|(special)}}<br/>[[1843 United States Senate election in Kentucky|1843]]<br/>1848 {{small|(Resigned)}}<br/>[[1854 United States Senate election in Kentucky|1854]]
| nowrap | 1858 (Appointed)
| {{Party shading/Hold}} | Interim appointee lost nomination to finish the term.<br/>Winner was [[United States Senate special election in Texas, 1859|elected]] '''December 5, 1859'''.<br/>Democratic hold.
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Incumbent retired.<br/>Winner [[1859 United States Senate election in Kentucky|elected]] '''December 12, 1859''', far in advance of the term.<br/>Winner wasn't seated until term began March 4, 1861.<br/>'''Democratic gain'''.
| nowrap | '''√ [[Louis Wigfall]]''' (Democratic)<br/>{{dm}}
| nowrap | {{Party stripe|Democratic Party (US)}}'''{{aye}} [[John C. Breckinridge]]''' (Democratic)<br/>{{data missing|date=February 2020}}


|}
|}

== Illinois ==
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 1859 United States Senate election in Illinois
| country = Illinois
| type = presidential
| >
| previous_election = 1853 United States Senate election in Illinois
| previous_year = 1853
| next_election = 1861 United States Senate election in Illinois
| next_year = 1861
| election_date = January 5, 1859
| image_size = x136px
| image1 = Stephen A Douglas - headshot.jpg
| nominee1 = '''[[Stephen Douglas]]'''
| party1 = Democratic Party (US)
| electoral_vote1 = '''54'''
| popular_vote1 = 166,374<ref name="guelzo 285">{{cite book |last1=Guelzo |first1=Allen C. |title=Lincoln and Douglas: the Debates That Defined America |date=2008 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |location=New York |page=285}}</ref>
| percentage1 = 45.33%
| image2 = Abraham Lincoln by Byers, 1858 - crop.jpg
| nominee2 = [[Abraham Lincoln]]
| party2 = Republican Party (US)
| electoral_vote2 = 46
| popular_vote2 = '''190,468'''<ref name="guelzo 285"/>
| percentage2 = '''51.90%'''
| map_image = 1859 United States Senate election in Illinois state senate results.svg
| map_size = 300x300px
| map_caption = State Senate results<br> {{legend0|#92C5DE|Douglas}} {{legend0|#F48882|Lincoln}}
| before_election = Stephen Douglas
| before_party = Democratic Party (US)
| after_election = Stephen Douglas
| after_party = Democratic Party (US)
}}
{{Main|1859 United States Senate election in Illinois}}
{{See also|Lincoln–Douglas debate format}}

Incumbent U.S. Senator [[Stephen Douglas]], a Democrat, defeated a challenge by former U.S. Representative [[Abraham Lincoln]], the Republican nominee. Lincoln, who had been a member of the [[Whig Party (United States)|Whig Party]] prior to 1856, attacked Douglas for his perceived subservience to the [[Slave Power]], as evidenced by his support for the [[Kansas-Nebraska Act]] and the recent [[United States Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] ruling in the case of ''[[Dred Scott v. Sanford]]''. The election was extremely close, hinging on Douglas' ability to appeal to former Whigs who had resisted joining the Republicans following the decline of the Whig party after 1854. In the [[October surprise|finale weeks of the campaign]], Douglas received the coveted endorsement of [[Kentucky]]'s [[John J. Crittenden]], a prominent former Whig and Douglas' colleague in the Senate. Crittenden's support for Douglas considerably diminished Lincoln's chances of winning the election.<ref>{{cite book|last=Guelzo|first=Allen C.|title=Lincoln and Douglas: The Debates that Defined America|url=https://archive.org/details/lincolndouglasde00alle|url-access=limited|year=2008|publisher=Simon and Schuster|location=New York, NY|pages=[https://archive.org/details/lincolndouglasde00alle/page/273 273]-77, 282}}</ref>

On election day, the statewide Republican ticket took 50.6% of the popular vote, outpolling the Democrats by a margin of 3,402 votes. Further down ballot, Republican candidates for the state legislature collectively received 24,094 more votes than the Douglas Democrats. ([[James Buchanan|Buchanan Democrats]] received almost 10,000 votes, and there were a scattering of votes for write-in candidates.) Despite this, strategically drawn district boundaries produced Democratic majorities in both houses of the state legislature: 40 Democrats and 35 Republicans were elected to the state [[Illinois House of Representatives|House of Representatives]], while the Democratic margin in the [[Illinois Senate|Senate]] was 14–11. On the day of the election in the [[Illinois General Assembly]], Douglas received 54 votes to Lincoln's 46. The change of just over 300 votes in three state legislative districts from Democrats to Republicans would have been sufficient to deny Democrats a legislative majority and defeat Douglas.<ref>{{cite book|last=Guelzo|first=Allen C.|title=''Lincoln and Douglas: The Debates that Defined America''|url=https://archive.org/details/lincolndouglasde00alle|url-access=limited|year=2008|publisher=Simon and Schuster|location=New York, NY|pages=[https://archive.org/details/lincolndouglasde00alle/page/284 284]–285}}</ref>

In spite of his defeat, [[Lincoln-Douglas Debates|Lincoln's debates with Douglas]] were followed nationally and established Lincoln as a leading contender for the Republican nomination in the [[1860 United States presidential election]]. In the aftermath of the senatorial election, Lincoln contacted editors looking to publish the texts of the debates. George Parsons, the Ohio Republican committee chairman, got Lincoln in touch with Ohio's main political publisher, Follett and Foster, of Columbus. They published copies of the text under the title, ''Political Debates Between Hon. Abraham Lincoln and Hon. Stephen A. Douglas in the Celebrated Campaign of 1858, in Illinois.'' Four printings were made, and the fourth sold 16,000 copies.<ref>{{cite book|last=Guelzo|first=Allen C.|title=Lincoln and Douglas: The Debates that Defined America|url=https://archive.org/details/lincolndouglasde00alle|url-access=limited|year=2008|publisher=Simon and Schuster|location=New York, NY|pages=[https://archive.org/details/lincolndouglasde00alle/page/305 305]-6}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[United States elections, 1858]]
* [[1858 United States elections]]
** [[United States House of Representatives elections, 1858 and 1859]]
** [[1858–59 United States House of Representatives elections]]
* [[35th United States Congress]]
* [[35th United States Congress]]
* [[36th United States Congress]]
* [[36th United States Congress]]
Line 597: Line 722:


{{United States Senate elections}}
{{United States Senate elections}}
{{Lincoln–Douglas debates}}


[[Category:United States Senate elections, 1858| ]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:1858-59 United States Senate elections}}
[[Category:United States Senate elections, 1859| ]]
[[Category:1858 United States Senate elections| ]]
[[Category:1859 United States Senate elections| ]]

Latest revision as of 21:42, 25 June 2024

1858–59 United States Senate elections
← 1856 & 1857 Various dates 1860 & 1861 →
22 of the 66 seats in the United States Senate (with special elections)
34 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Democratic Republican
Last election 34 seats 15 seats
Seats before 42 20
Seats won 13 8
Seats after 38 25
Seat change Decrease 4 Increase 5
Seats up 17 3
  Third party Fourth party
 
Party Know Nothing Others
Last election 2 seats 4 seats
Seats before 4 0
Seats won 0 0
Seats after 2 0
Seat change Decrease 2 Steady
Seats up 2 0
Results of the elections:
     Democratic gain      Democratic hold
     Republican gain      Republican hold
     Legislature failed to elect
Majority Party before election


Democratic

Elected Majority Party


Democratic

U.S. postage stamp, 1958 issue, commemorating the Lincoln and Douglas debates

The 1858–59 United States Senate elections were held on various dates in various states. As these U.S. Senate elections were prior to the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913, senators were chosen by state legislatures. Senators were elected over a wide range of time throughout 1858 and 1859, and a seat may have been filled months late or remained vacant due to legislative deadlock.[1] In these elections, terms were up for the senators in Class 2.

The Republican Party gained five additional seats in the Senate, but the Democrats retained their majority. That majority would erode in 1860 with the secession of the southern states leading up to the Civil War.

In Illinois, incumbent Stephen A. Douglas (D) and challenger Abraham Lincoln (R) held a series of seven debates, known as the "Lincoln–Douglas debates."

Results summary[edit]

Senate party division, 36th Congress (1859–1861)

  • Majority party: Democratic (38–25)
  • Minority party: Republican (25–26)
  • Other parties: American (2)
  • Total seats: 66–68

Change in Senate composition[edit]

Before the elections[edit]

D3 D2 D1
D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10 D11 D12 D13
D23 D22 D21 D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14
D24 D25 D26
Ran 		D27
Ran 		D28
Ran 		D29
Ran 		D30
Ran 		D31
Ran 		D32
Ran 		D33
Ran
Majority → D34
Ran
KN4
Unknown 		D42
Retired 		D41
Retired 		D40
Retired 		D39
Retired 		D38
Retired 		D37
Ran 		D36
Ran 		D35
Ran
KN3
Unknown 		KN2 KN1 R20
Ran 		R19
Ran 		R18
Ran 		R17 R16 R15 R14
R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13
R3 R2 R1

As a result of the elections[edit]

D3 D2 D1
D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10 D11 D12 D13
D23 D22 D21 D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14
D24 D25 D26
Re-elected 		D27
Re-elected 		D28
Re-elected 		D29
Re-elected 		D30
Re-elected 		D31
Re-elected 		D32
Re-elected 		D33
Hold
Majority → D34
Hold
R24
Gain 		R25
Gain 		KN1 KN2 V1
D Loss 		D38
Gain 		D37
Gain 		D36
Hold 		D35
Hold
R23
Gain 		R22
Gain 		R21
Gain 		R20
Re-elected 		R19
Re-elected 		R18
Re-elected 		R17 R16 R15 R14
R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13
R3 R2 R1
Key:
D# Democratic
KN# Know Nothing
R# Republican
V# Vacant

Race summaries[edit]

Special elections during the 35th Congress[edit]

In these elections, the winners were seated during 1858 or in 1859 before March 4; ordered by election date.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Minnesota
(Class 1) 		New state Minnesota's first senators were elected May 11, 1858.
Democratic gain. 		▌Green tickY Henry M. Rice (Democratic)
[data missing]
Minnesota
(Class 2) 		Minnesota's first senators were elected May 11, 1858.
Democratic gain.
Oregon
(Class 2) 		New state Oregon's first senators were elected in 1858 in advance of statehood.[2]
Democratic gain.
Oregon
(Class 3) 		Oregon's first senators were elected in 1858 in advance of statehood.[2]
Democratic gain.
North Carolina
(Class 3) 		Thomas Clingman Democratic 1858 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected November 23, 1858 to finish the term.[3][4]
South Carolina
(Class 2) 		Arthur P. Hayne Democratic 1858 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired when successor elected.
Winner elected December 3, 1858.
Democratic hold.
Winner was also elected to the next term; see below.

Races leading to the 36th Congress[edit]

In these regular elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1859; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral
history
Alabama Clement Claiborne Clay Democratic 1853 (special) Incumbent re-elected in 1858.
Arkansas William K. Sebastian Democratic 1848 (Appointed)
1848 (special)
1853 		Incumbent re-elected in 1859.
Delaware Martin W. Bates Democratic 1857 (special) Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected in 1858.
Democratic hold.
Georgia Robert Toombs Democratic 1852 Incumbent re-elected in 1858.
Illinois Stephen A. Douglas Democratic 1846
1852 		Incumbent re-elected January 5, 1859.
Iowa George Wallace Jones Democratic 1848
1852 		Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected January 26, 1858.[6]
Republican gain.
Kentucky John B. Thompson Know Nothing 1851 (Early) Unknown if incumbent retired or lost re-election.
New senator elected in January 1858.
Democratic gain.
Louisiana Judah P. Benjamin Democratic 1852 Incumbent re-elected in 1859.
Maine William P. Fessenden Republican 1854 (special) Incumbent re-elected in 1859.
Massachusetts Henry Wilson Republican 1855 (special) Incumbent re-elected in 1859.
Michigan Charles E. Stuart Democratic 1853 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected in 1858.
Republican gain.
Minnesota James Shields Democratic 1849 (Illinois)
1849 (Illinois: Election voided)
1849 (Illinois: Special)
1855 (Illinois: Lost)
1858 (Minnesota) 		Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected December 15, 1859.[8]
Republican gain.
Mississippi Albert G. Brown Democratic 1854 (special) Incumbent re-elected in 1859.
New Hampshire John P. Hale Republican 1846
1853 (Retired)
1855 		Incumbent re-elected in 1859.
New Jersey William Wright Democratic 1852 or 1853 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected in 1858.
Republican gain.
North Carolina David Reid Democratic 1854 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected in 1858 or 1859.
Democratic hold.
Oregon Delazon Smith Democratic 1859 Incumbent lost re-election.
Legislature failed to elect.
Democratic loss.
Seat would remain vacant until 1860. 		▌Delazon Smith (Democratic)
[data missing]
Rhode Island Philip Allen Democratic 1853 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected in 1858.
Republican gain.
South Carolina Arthur P. Hayne Democratic 1858 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected December 3, 1858.
Democratic hold.
Winner was also elected to finish the current term, see above.
Tennessee John Bell Know Nothing 1847
1853 		Unknown if incumbent retired or lost re-election.
New senator elected in 1858.
Democratic gain.
Texas Sam Houston Democratic 1846
1847
1853 		Incumbent retired.
New senator elected in 1859.
Democratic hold.
Virginia Robert M. T. Hunter Democratic 1846
1852 		Incumbent re-elected in 1858.

Elections during the 36th Congress[edit]

In this election, the winner was elected in 1859 on or after March 4; ordered by date.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Texas
(Class 1) 		Matthias Ward Democratic 1858 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost nomination to finish the term.
Winner was elected December 5, 1859.
Democratic hold. 		Green tickY Louis Wigfall (Democratic)
[data missing]

Race leading to the 37th Congress[edit]

In this regular election, the winner was elected for the term beginning March 4, 1861.

This election involved a Class 3 seat.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral
history
Kentucky
(Class 3) 		John J. Crittenden Know Nothing 1816
1819 (Resigned)
1835
1841 (Retired)
1842 (Appointed)
1842 or 1843 (special)
1843
1848 (Resigned)
1854 		Incumbent retired.
Winner elected December 12, 1859, far in advance of the term.
Winner wasn't seated until term began March 4, 1861.
Democratic gain. 		▌Green tickY John C. Breckinridge (Democratic)
[data missing]

Illinois[edit]

1859 United States Senate election in Illinois
← 1853 January 5, 1859 1861 →
 
Nominee Stephen Douglas Abraham Lincoln
Party Democratic Republican
Electoral vote 54 46
Popular vote 166,374[9] 190,468[9]
Percentage 45.33% 51.90%
State Senate results
     Douglas      Lincoln
Main article: 1859 United States Senate election in Illinois
See also: Lincoln–Douglas debate format

Incumbent U.S. Senator Stephen Douglas, a Democrat, defeated a challenge by former U.S. Representative Abraham Lincoln, the Republican nominee. Lincoln, who had been a member of the Whig Party prior to 1856, attacked Douglas for his perceived subservience to the Slave Power, as evidenced by his support for the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the recent Supreme Court ruling in the case of Dred Scott v. Sanford. The election was extremely close, hinging on Douglas' ability to appeal to former Whigs who had resisted joining the Republicans following the decline of the Whig party after 1854. In the finale weeks of the campaign, Douglas received the coveted endorsement of Kentucky's John J. Crittenden, a prominent former Whig and Douglas' colleague in the Senate. Crittenden's support for Douglas considerably diminished Lincoln's chances of winning the election.[10]

On election day, the statewide Republican ticket took 50.6% of the popular vote, outpolling the Democrats by a margin of 3,402 votes. Further down ballot, Republican candidates for the state legislature collectively received 24,094 more votes than the Douglas Democrats. (Buchanan Democrats received almost 10,000 votes, and there were a scattering of votes for write-in candidates.) Despite this, strategically drawn district boundaries produced Democratic majorities in both houses of the state legislature: 40 Democrats and 35 Republicans were elected to the state House of Representatives, while the Democratic margin in the Senate was 14–11. On the day of the election in the Illinois General Assembly, Douglas received 54 votes to Lincoln's 46. The change of just over 300 votes in three state legislative districts from Democrats to Republicans would have been sufficient to deny Democrats a legislative majority and defeat Douglas.[11]

In spite of his defeat, Lincoln's debates with Douglas were followed nationally and established Lincoln as a leading contender for the Republican nomination in the 1860 United States presidential election. In the aftermath of the senatorial election, Lincoln contacted editors looking to publish the texts of the debates. George Parsons, the Ohio Republican committee chairman, got Lincoln in touch with Ohio's main political publisher, Follett and Foster, of Columbus. They published copies of the text under the title, Political Debates Between Hon. Abraham Lincoln and Hon. Stephen A. Douglas in the Celebrated Campaign of 1858, in Illinois. Four printings were made, and the fourth sold 16,000 copies.[12]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Direct Election of U.S. Senators (1913)". National Archives and Records Administration. February 8, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Two New Senators". The New York Times.
  3. ^ Byrd, Robert C.; Wolff, Wendy (October 1, 1993). The Senate, 1789-1989: Historical Statistics, 1789-1992 (volume 4 Bicentennial ed.). U.S. Government Printing Office. ISBN 978-0-16-063256-3., page 150
  4. ^ "Hon. Thomas L. Clingman--The new Senator from North Carolina". The New York Times.
  5. ^ Journal of the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the State of Illinois, 1859. Springfield, IL: Bailache & Baker, Printers. 1859.
  6. ^ Clark, Dan Elbert (1913). History of Senatorial Elections in Iowa: A Study in American Politics. p. 119.
  7. ^ Journal of the House of Representatives of the Seventh General Assembly of the State of Iowa. Des Moines: J. Teesdale, State Printer. 1858. p. 131.
  8. ^ a b "From Minnesota.; ELECTION OF A UNITED STATES SENATOR--THREATENED IMPEACHMENT OF THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR". The New York Times.
  9. ^ a b Guelzo, Allen C. (2008). Lincoln and Douglas: the Debates That Defined America. New York: Simon and Schuster. p. 285.
  10. ^ Guelzo, Allen C. (2008). Lincoln and Douglas: The Debates that Defined America. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster. pp. 273-77, 282.
  11. ^ Guelzo, Allen C. (2008). Lincoln and Douglas: The Debates that Defined America. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster. pp. 284–285.
  12. ^ Guelzo, Allen C. (2008). Lincoln and Douglas: The Debates that Defined America. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster. pp. 305-6.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1858–59_United_States_Senate_elections&oldid=1230997836"