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1796–97 United States Senate elections

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1796–97 United States Senate elections
← 1794 & 1795 Dates vary by state 1798 & 1799 →
11 of the 32 seats in the United States Senate (plus special elections)
17 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Federalist Democratic-Republican
Seats before 19 12
Seats after 20 10
Seat change Increase 1 Decrease 2
Seats up 8 3
Races won 9 1
Results:
     Federalist hold      Federalist gain
     Dem-Republican hold
     Legislature failed to elect
Majority Party before election


Federalist

Elected Majority Party


Federalist

The 1796–97 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 1796 and 1797, and a seat may have been filled months late or remained vacant due to legislative deadlock. In these elections, terms were up for the senators in Class 1.

They coincided with John Adams's election as President. The ruling Federalist Party gained one seat.

Results summary

Senate party division, 5th Congress (1797–1799)

  • Majority party: Federalist (22)
  • Minority party: Democratic-Republican (9)
  • Vacant: 1 (later filled by Democratic-Republican)
  • Total seats: 32

Change in composition

Before the elections

After the August 2, 1796 admission of Tennessee.

DR6 DR5 DR4 DR3 DR2 DR1
DR7 DR8 DR9
N.Y.
Ran 		DR10
Tenn.
Ran 		DR11
Va.
Unknown 		V2 V1 F19
Vt.
Resigned 		F17
R.I.
Ran 		F16
Pa.
Ran
Majority →
F7 F8 F9 F10 F11 F12
Conn.
Ran 		F13
Del.
Ran 		F14
Md.
Ran 		F18
Mass.
Resigned 		F15
N.J.
Ran
F6 F5 F4 F3 F2 F1

Results of the regular elections

DR6 DR5 DR4 DR3 DR2 DR1
DR7 DR8 DR9
Va.
Re-elected 		V2
Tenn.
DR Loss 		V2 V1 F19
Vt.
Hold 		F17
R.I.
Re-elected 		F16
Pa.
Re-elected 		F20
N.Y.
Gain
Majority →
F7 F8 F9 F10 F11 F12
Conn.
Re-elected 		F13
Del.
Re-elected 		F14
Md.
Re-elected 		F18
Mass.
Hold 		F15
N.J.
Re-elected
F6 F5 F4 F3 F2 F1
Key
DR# Democratic-Republican
F# Federalist
V# Vacant

Race summaries

Except if/when noted, the number following candidates is the whole number vote(s), not a percentage.

Special elections during the 4th Congress

In these special elections, the winners were seated before March 4, 1797; ordered by election date.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party First elected
Georgia
(class 2) 		George Walton Federalist 1795 (Appointed) Appointee retired when successor elected.
New senator elected February 20, 1796.
Democratic-Republican gain.
Connecticut
(class 1) 		Oliver Ellsworth Federalist 1788 Incumbent resigned to become Chief Justice of the United States.
New senator elected May 12, 1796.
Federalist hold.
Massachusetts
(class 1) 		George Cabot Federalist 1790 Incumbent resigned June 9, 1796.
New senator elected June 11, 1796 on the second ballot.
Federalist hold.
Successor also elected the same day to the next term, see below.
Massachusetts
(class 2) 		Caleb Strong Federalist 1788 Incumbent resigned June 1, 1796.
New senator elected June 11, 1796 on the second ballot.
Federalist hold.
Connecticut
(class 3) 		Jonathan Trumbull Jr. Federalist 1794 or 1795 Incumbent resigned June 10, 1796, to become Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut.
New senator elected October 13, 1796.
Federalist hold.
Vermont
(class 1) 		Moses Robinson Democratic-
Republican 		1791 (New state) Incumbent resigned October 15, 1796.
New senator elected October 18, 1796.
Federalist gain.
Winner also elected the same day to the next term; see below.
New York
(class 3) 		Rufus King Federalist 1789 Incumbent resigned May 23, 1796, to become U.S. Minister to Great Britain.
New senator elected November 9, 1796.
Federalist hold.
New Jersey
(class 2) 		Frederick Frelinghuysen Federalist 1792 or 1793 Incumbent resigned November 12, 1796.
New senator elected November 12, 1796.
Federalist hold.
Maryland
(class 1) 		Richard Potts Federalist 1793 (special) Incumbent resigned October 24, 1796.
New senator elected November 28, 1796.
Federalist hold.
Successor also later elected to the next term; see below.
South Carolina
(class 2) 		Pierce Butler Democratic-
Republican 		1789 Incumbent resigned October 25, 1796.
New senator elected December 8, 1796.
Democratic-Republican hold.

Races leading to the 5th Congress

In these regular elections, the winner was seated on March 4, 1797; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 1 seats.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party First elected
Connecticut James Hillhouse Federalist 1796 (special) Incumbent re-elected in 1797.
Delaware Henry Latimer Federalist 1795 (special) Incumbent re-elected January 6, 1797.
Maryland John Eager Howard Federalist 1796 (special) Incumbent re-elected December 9, 1796.
Massachusetts George Cabot Federalist 1790 Incumbent resigned June 9, 1796.
New senator elected June 11, 1796 on the third ballot.
Federalist hold.
Winner also elected to finish the current term; see above.
New Jersey John Rutherfurd Federalist 1790 Incumbent re-elected in 1796.
New York Aaron Burr Democratic-
Republican 		1791 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected January 24, 1797.
Federalist gain.
Pennsylvania James Ross Federalist 1794 (special) Incumbent re-elected February 16, 1797.
Rhode Island Theodore Foster Federalist 1790 Incumbent re-elected in 1797.
Tennessee William Cocke Democratic-
Republican 		1796 Legislature failed to elect.
Democratic-Republican loss.
Incumbent later appointed to continue term. 		None
Vermont Moses Robinson Democratic-
Republican 		1791 (new state) Incumbent resigned October 15, 1796.
New senator elected October 18, 1796.
Federalist gain.
Winner also elected to finish the current term, see above.
Virginia Stevens Mason Democratic-
Republican 		1794 (special) Incumbent re-elected November 29, 1796.

Special elections during the 5th Congress

In these special elections, the winners were elected after the March 4, 1797 beginning of the next Congress.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party First elected
Tennessee
(class 1) 		William Cocke Democratic-
Republican 		1796 Interim appointee lost re-election.
New senator elected September 26, 1797.
Democratic-Republican hold.
Tennessee
(class 2) 		William Blount Democratic-
Republican 		1796 Incumbent expelled July 8, 1797.
New senator elected September 26, 1797.
Democratic-Republican hold.
Vermont
(class 1) 		Isaac Tichenor Federalist 1796 (special) Incumbent resigned October 17, 1797, to become Governor of Vermont.
New senator elected October 17, 1797.
Federalist hold.
Rhode Island
(class 2) 		William Bradford Federalist 1793 Incumbent resigned in October 1797.
New senator elected November 13, 1797.
Federalist hold.
Maryland
(class 3) 		John Henry Federalist 1788 Incumbent resigned July 10, 1797, to become Governor of Maryland.
New senator elected December 8, 1797.
Federalist hold.
  • ▌Green tickY James Lloyd (Federalist) Majority of one vote only

Connecticut

See also: List of United States senators from Connecticut and 1796 United States House of Representatives election in Connecticut

Connecticut (regular)

Main article: 1797 United States Senate election in Connecticut
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2020)

Connecticut (special, class 1)

Main article: 1796 United States Senate special elections in Connecticut
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Connecticut (special, class 3)

Main article: 1796 United States Senate special elections in Connecticut
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Delaware

See also: List of United States senators from Delaware and 1796 United States House of Representatives election in Delaware Main article: 1797 United States Senate election in Delaware
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2020)

Georgia (special)

See also: List of United States senators from Georgia and 1796 United States House of Representatives election in Georgia Main article: 1796 United States Senate special election in Georgia
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2020)

Maryland

See also: List of United States senators from Maryland

Maryland (special, 1796)

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2022)
1796 United States Senate special election in Maryland
← 1793 1796 1796 →
80 members of the Maryland General Assembly
 
Candidate John Eager Howard
Party Federalist
Legislative vote -
Percentage -%

John Eager Howard won election to fill the seat vacated by Richard Potts by an unknown number of votes, for the Class 1 seat.

Maryland (regular)

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2022)
1796 United States Senate election in Maryland
← 1796 1796 1802 →
80 members of the Maryland General Assembly
 
Candidate John Eager Howard Richard Sprigg Jr.
Party Federalist Democratic-Republican
Legislative vote -
Percentage -%

John Eager Howard won re-election over Richard Sprigg Jr. by an unknown number of votes, for the Class 1 seat.

Maryland (special, 1797)

See also: List of United States senators from Maryland
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2022)
1797 United States Senate special election in Maryland
← 1795 December 8, 1797 1800 →
80 members of the Maryland General Assembly
 
Candidate James Lloyd William Winder
Party Federalist Democratic-Republican
Legislative vote 45 44
Percentage 50.56% 49.44%

James Lloyd won election over William Winder by a margin of 1.12%, or 1 vote, for the Class 3 seat.

Massachusetts

See also: List of United States senators from Massachusetts and 1796–1797 United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts

Massachusetts (regular)

Main article: 1796 United States Senate election in Massachusetts
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2020)

Massachusetts (special, class 1)

Main article: 1796 United States Senate special elections in Massachusetts
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2020)

Massachusetts (special, class 2)

Main article: 1796 United States Senate special elections in Massachusetts
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New Jersey

See also: List of United States senators from New Jersey and 1797 United States House of Representatives election in New Jersey

New Jersey (regular)

Main article: 1796 United States Senate election in New Jersey
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2020)

New Jersey (special)

Main article: 1796 United States Senate special election in New Jersey
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2020)

New York

See also: List of United States senators from New York and 1796 United States House of Representatives elections in New York

New York (regular)

Main article: 1797 United States Senate election in New York
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New York (special)

Main article: 1796 United States Senate special election in New York
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Pennsylvania

See also: List of United States senators from Pennsylvania and 1796 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania Main article: 1797 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2020)

Rhode Island

See also: List of United States senators from Rhode Island and 1796 United States House of Representatives elections in Rhode Island

Rhode Island (regular)

Main article: 1797 United States Senate election in Rhode Island
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2020)

Rhode Island (special)

Main article: 1797 United States Senate special election in Rhode Island
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2020)

South Carolina (special)

See also: List of United States senators from South Carolina and 1796 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina Main article: 1796 United States Senate special election in South Carolina
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2020)

Tennessee

See also: List of United States senators from Tennessee, 1796 United States House of Representatives election in Tennessee, and 1797 United States House of Representatives election in Tennessee

Tennessee (initial)

Main article: 1796 United States Senate elections in Tennessee

Tennessee became a state June 1, 1796 and elected its new senators August 2, 1796.

Tennessee (special, class 1)

Main article: 1797 United States Senate special elections in Tennessee

The term of the initially-elected senator, Democratic-Republican William Cocke, ended March 3, 1797 and the Tennessee legislature failed to elect a senator for the new term. The Governor of Tennessee, therefore, appointed Cocke to begin the term, pending a special election. Cocke, however, lost that October 6, 1798 special election to Democratic-Republican Andrew Jackson.

Tennessee (special, class 2)

Main article: 1797 United States Senate special elections in Tennessee

Democratic-Republican William Blount was expelled July 8, 1797 for conspiracy with the Kingdom of Great Britain. Democratic-Republican Joseph Anderson was elected September 26, 1797 to finish Blount's term.

Vermont

Senator Nathaniel Chipman
Senator Isaac Tichenor
See also: List of United States senators from Vermont and 1796–1797 United States House of Representatives elections in Vermont

Incumbent Democratic-Republican Moses Robinson resigned October 15, 1796.

Federalist Isaac Tichenor was elected October 18, 1796, both to finish Robinson's term and to the new term that would begin March 4, 1797. However, Tichenor resigned just one year later, October 17, 1797, to become Governor of Vermont. Federalist Nathaniel Chipman was then elected October 17, 1797, to finish the term.

Vermont (special, 1796)

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Vermont (regular)

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Vermont (special, 1797)

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Virginia

See also: List of United States senators from Virginia and 1797 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia Main article: 1796 United States Senate election in Virginia
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2020)

See also

References

  1. "17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Direct Election of U.S. Senators (1913)". National Archives and Records Administration. February 8, 2022.
  2. "Massachusetts 1796 U.S. Senate, Special, Ballot 2". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved February 4, 2018., citing The Hampshire and Berkshire Chronicle (Springfield, MA). June 21, 1796.
  3. "Massachusetts 1796 U.S. Senate, Special, Ballot 2". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved February 4, 2018., citing Political Gazette (Newburyport, MA). June 16, 1796.
  4. "New York 1796 U.S. Senate, Special". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved February 4, 2018., citing Journal of the New York Assembly, 1796. 18. Journal of the New York State Senate, 1796. 12.
  5. "New Jersey 1796 U.S. Senate". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Archived from the original on March 6, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2018., citing The Albany Gazette (Albany, NY). November 21, 1796.
  6. "Maryland 1796 U.S. Senate, Special". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved February 4, 2018., citing Charles Carroll to James McHenry. Nov. 28, 1796. Reel 2, Item 990. Charles Carroll Papers. Maryland Historical Society, Baltimore.
  7. "South Carolina 1796 U.S. Senate, Special". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved February 4, 2018., citing Aurora. General Advertiser (Philadelphia, PA). December 30, 1796.
  8. "Delaware 1797 U.S. Senate". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved February 4, 2018., citing Journal of the Delaware State Senate, 1797. 18.
  9. "Massachusetts 1796 U.S. Senate, Ballot 3". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved February 4, 2018., citing Hampshire and Berkshire Chronicle (Springfield, MA). June 21, 1796.
  10. "New York 1797 U.S. Senate". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved February 4, 2018., citing Journal of the New York Assembly, 1797. 68. Journal of the New York State Senate, 1797. 43-44.
  11. "Pennsylvania 1797 U.S. Senate". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Archived from the original on February 19, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2018., citing The New World (Philadelphia, PA). February 17, 1797.
  12. United States Congress. "William Cocke (id: C000572)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  13. "Virginia 1796 U.S. Senate". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved February 4, 2018., citing The Virginia Argus (Richmond, VA). December 2, 1796.
  14. ^ "Tennessee 1797 U.S. Senate". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved January 30, 2018., citing Commercial Advertiser (New York, NY). November 11, 1797.
  15. United States Congress. "William Blount (id: B000570)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  16. "Maryland 1797 U.S. Senate, Special". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved February 4, 2018., citing Aurora. General Advertiser (Philadelphia, PA). December 13, 1797.
  17. "Our Campaigns - MD US Senate Race - Nov 00, 1795". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  18. "Our Campaigns - MD US Senate Race - Nov 21, 1796". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  19. "Our Campaigns - MD US Senate Race - Dec 08, 1797". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
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