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1844–45 United States Senate elections

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1844–45 United States Senate elections
← 1842 & 1843 Various dates 1846 & 1847 →
18 of the 54 seats in the United States Senate (with special elections)
28 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party Third party
 
Party Democratic Whig Law and Order
Last election 23 seats 27 seats New party
Seats before 23 27 1
Seats won 8 8 0
Seats after 27 24 0
Seat change Increase 3 Decrease 3 Decrease 1
Seats up 5 11 1
Results:
     Democratic gain      Democratic hold
     Whig gain      Whig hold
     Legislature failed to elect
Majority Party before election


Whig

Elected Majority Party


Democratic

The 1844–45 United States Senate elections were held on various dates in various states, coinciding with James K. Polk's election. 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 1844 and 1845, 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. The Democratic Party re-captured control of the Senate, gaining a net total of eleven seats from the Whigs.

Results summary

Senate party division, 29th Congress (1845–1847)

  • Majority party: Democratic (26–31)
  • Minority party: Whig (24)
  • Other parties: (0–1)
  • Vacant: (4–2)
  • Total seats: 54–58

Change in Senate composition

Before the elections

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6
D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10 D9 D8 D7
D17 D18 D19 D20
Ran 		D21
Ran 		D22
Ran 		D23
Ran 		D24
Retired 		LO1
Retired 		W27
Retired
Majority →
W17
Ran 		W18
Ran 		W19
Ran 		W20
Ran 		W21
Unknown 		W22
Unknown 		W23
Retired 		W24
Retired 		W25
Retired 		W26
Retired
W16 W15 W14 W13 W12 W11 W10 W9 W8 W7
W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 W6

Result of the elections

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7
D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10 D9 D8
D18 D19 D20
Re-elected 		D21
Re-elected 		D22
Re-elected 		D23
Re-elected 		D24
Gain 		D25
Gain 		D26
Gain 		D27
Gain
Majority →
W18
Re-elected 		W19
Re-elected 		W20
Hold 		W21
Hold 		W22
Hold 		W23
Gain 		W24
Gain 		V1
W Loss 		V2
New seat 		V3
New seat
W17
Re-elected 		W16 W15 W14 W13 W12 W11 W10 W9 W8
W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 W6 W7

Beginning of the next Congress

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7
D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10 D9 D8
D18 D19 D20 D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 V4
D Loss
Majority ↑
W18 W19 W20 W21 W22 W23 W24 V1 V2 V3
W17 W16 W15 W14 W13 W12 W11 W10 W9 W8
W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 W6 W7

Beginning of the first session of the next Congress (December 1, 1845)

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7
D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10 D9 D8
D18 D19 D20 D21 D22 D23 D24
Hold 		D25
Hold 		D26
Hold 		D27
Gain
Majority → D28
Gain
W18 W19 W20 W21 W22 W23
Hold 		W24
Hold 		D30
Gain 		D29
Gain
W17 W16 W15 W14 W13 W12 W11 W10 W9 W8
W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 W6 W7
Key:
D# Democratic
LO# Law and Order
W# Whig
V# Vacant

Race summaries

Special elections during the 28th Congress

In these special elections, the winners were seated during 1844 or in 1845 before March 4; ordered by election date.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Rhode Island
(Class 1) 		William Sprague Whig 1842 (special) Incumbent resigned January 17, 1844.
New senator elected January 25, 1844.
Law and Order gain.
  • ▌Green tickY John B. Francis (Law and Order) 67 votes
  • ▌ Christopher Spencer (Liberation) 26 votes
Louisiana
(Class 3) 		Alexander Porter Whig 1833 (special)
1837 (resigned)
1843 		Incumbent died January 13, 1844.
New senator elected February 12, 1844.
Whig hold.
Arkansas
(Class 2) 		William S. Fulton Democratic 1836 (special)
1840 		Incumbent died August 15, 1844.
New senator elected November 8, 1844.
Democratic hold.
New York
(Class 1) 		Daniel S. Dickinson Democratic 1844 (appointed) Appointee elected January 18, 1845.
Winner was later be elected to the next term; see below.
New York
(Class 3) 		Henry A. Foster Democratic 1844 (appointed) Appointee retired or lost election.
New senator elected January 18, 1845.
Democratic hold.

Races leading to the 29th Congress

In these regular elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1845; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 1 seats.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Connecticut Jabez W. Huntington Whig 1840 (special) Incumbent re-elected in 1844 or 1845.
Delaware Richard H. Bayard Whig 1836 (special)
1838 or 1839
1839 (resigned)
1841 (special) 		Incumbent retired.
New senator elected in 1845.
Whig hold.
Florida None (new state) Florida was admitted March 3, 1845, but elected its first Class 1 senator late, during the next Congress.
Seat remained vacant. 		None.
Indiana Albert White Whig 1838 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected in 1844.
Democratic gain.
Maine John Fairfield Democratic 1843 (special) Incumbent re-elected in 1844 or 1845.
Maryland William Merrick Whig 1838 (special)
1839 		Incumbent retired.
New senator elected in 1844 or 1845.
Whig hold.
Massachusetts Rufus Choate Whig 1841 (special) Incumbent retired.
New senator elected in 1845.
Whig hold.
Michigan Augustus S. Porter Whig 1840 (special) Incumbent retired.
New senator elected in 1844 or 1845.
Democratic gain.
Mississippi John Henderson Whig 1838 Unknown if incumbent retired or lost.
New senator elected in 1844.
Democratic gain.
Missouri Thomas H. Benton Democratic 1821
1827
1833
1839 		Incumbent re-elected in 1845.
New Jersey William L. Dayton Whig 1842 (appointed)
? (special) 		Incumbent re-elected in 1845.
New York Daniel S. Dickinson Democratic 1844 (appointed)
1845 (special) 		Incumbent re-elected February 4, 1845.
Ohio Benjamin Tappan Democratic 1838 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected December 5, 1844.
Whig gain.
Pennsylvania Daniel Sturgeon Democratic 1840 Incumbent re-elected January 14, 1845.
Rhode Island John B. Francis Law and Order 1844 (special) Incumbent retired.
New senator elected in 1844 or 1845.
Whig gain.
Tennessee Ephraim H. Foster Whig 1838 (special)
1839 (re-elected, but resigned)
1843 (special) 		Incumbent retired or lost re-election.
New senator elected in 1844.
Democratic gain.
Vermont Samuel S. Phelps Whig 1839 Incumbent re-elected in 1845.
Virginia William C. Rives Whig 1832 (special)
1834 (resigned)
1836 (special)
1839 (failure to elect)
1841 (special) 		Legislature failed to elect.
Whig loss. 		[data missing]

Special elections during the 29th Congress

In these special elections, the winners were elected in 1845 after March 4; ordered by election date.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Pennsylvania
(Class 3) 		James Buchanan Democratic 1834 (special)
1836
1843 		Incumbent resigned March 5, 1845, to become U.S. Secretary of State.
New senator elected March 13, 1845.
Democratic hold.
Massachusetts
(Class 2) 		Isaac C. Bates Whig 1841 (special)
1841 		Incumbent died March 16, 1845.
New senator elected March 24, 1845.
Whig hold.
Florida
(Class 1) 		None (new state) Florida was admitted March 3, 1845.
Its first senators were elected July 1, 1845.
Democratic gain.
Florida
(Class 3) 		Florida was admitted March 3, 1845.
Its first senators were elected July 1, 1845.
Democratic gain.
Georgia
(Class 2) 		John M. Berrien Whig 1825
1829 (resigned)
1840 		Incumbent resigned in May 1845 to become judge of the Supreme Court of Georgia.
He did not remain on the court, and was re-elected November 13, 1845.
Whig hold.
South Carolina
(Class 2) 		Vacant Incumbent Daniel E. Huger (D) had resigned in the previous Congress.
New senator was elected November 26, 1845.
Democratic hold.
Virginia
(Class 1) 		Vacant Legislature had failed to elect.
New senator elected late December 3, 1845.
Democratic gain.

Arkansas (special)

See also: List of United States senators from Arkansas and 1844 United States House of Representatives election in Arkansas
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)

Connecticut

Main article: 1844 United States Senate election in Connecticut See also: List of United States senators from Connecticut and 1845 United States House of Representatives elections in Connecticut
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)

Delaware

See also: List of United States senators from Delaware and 1844 United States House of Representatives election in Delaware
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)

Florida

See also: List of United States senators from Florida and 1845 United States House of Representatives election in Florida
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)

Florida (regular)

Florida (special)

Georgia (special)

See also: List of United States senators from Georgia and 1844 United States House of Representatives elections in Georgia
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)

Indiana

See also: List of United States senators from Indiana and 1845 United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)

Louisiana (special)

See also: List of United States senators from Louisiana and 1844 United States House of Representatives elections in Louisiana
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)

Maine

See also: List of United States senators from Maine and 1844 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)

Maryland

See also: List of United States senators from Maryland
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2022)
1844 United States Senate election in Maryland
← 1839 - 1849 →
80 members of the Maryland General Assembly
 
Candidate Reverdy Johnson
Party Whig
Legislative vote -
Percentage -%

Reverdy Johnson won election by an unknown margin of votes, for the Class 1 seat.

Massachusetts

See also: List of United States senators from Massachusetts and 1844 United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)

Massachusetts (regular)

Massachusetts (special)

Michigan

See also: List of United States senators from Michigan and 1844 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)

Mississippi

See also: List of United States senators from Mississippi and 1845 United States House of Representatives election in Mississippi
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)

Missouri

See also: List of United States senators from Missouri and 1844 United States House of Representatives election in Missouri
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)

New Jersey

See also: List of United States senators from New Jersey and 1844 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)

New York

Main article: 1845 United States Senate elections in New York See also: List of United States senators from New York

There were three elections: Two special elections were held on January 18, 1845, and one regular election was held on February 4, 1845.

The 68th New York State Legislature met from January 7 to May 14, 1845.

New York (special, class 1)

Nathaniel P. Tallmadge had been re-elected in 1840 to the Class 1 seat (term 1839-1845), but resigned June 17, 1844, to become Governor of Wisconsin Territory. On November 30, Governor of New York William C. Bouck appointed his Democratic Lieutenant Governor Daniel S. Dickinson to fill the vacancy temporarily, and Dickinson was seated December 9, 1844.

January 18, 1845, United States Senator special election, Class 1
House Democratic Whig American
Republican
State Senate (32 members) Green tickY Daniel S. Dickinson 27 Millard Fillmore 3 Jonathan Thompson 1
State Assembly (128 members) Green tickY Daniel S. Dickinson

New York (special, class 3)

Silas Wright Jr. had been re-elected in 1843 to the Class 3 seat (term 1843-1849), but resigned November 26, 1844, when elected Governor of New York. On November 30, Governor Bouck appointed Democratic State Senator Henry A. Foster to fill the vacancy temporarily, and Foster took his seat on December 9, 1844.

January 18, 1845, United States Senator special election, Class 3
House Democratic Whig American
Republican
State Senate (32 members) Green tickY John Adams Dix 27 Willis Hall 3 Harman B. Cropsey 1
State Assembly (128 members) Green tickY John Adams Dix

Dix took his seat on January 27, 1845, and remained in office until March 3, 1849, when his term expired.

New York (regular)

February 4, 1845, United States Senator election, Class 1
House Democratic Whig
State Senate (32 members) Green tickY Daniel S. Dickinson 25 John C. Clark 4
State Assembly (128 members) Green tickY Daniel S. Dickinson

Dickinson re-took his seat under the new credentials on January 27, 1845, and re-elected, remained in office until March 3, 1851, when his term expired.

Ohio

See also: List of United States senators from Ohio and 1844 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)

Pennsylvania

See also: List of United States senators from Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania (regular)

Main article: 1845 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania

The regular election was held January 14, 1845. Incumbent Daniel Sturgeon was re-elected by the Pennsylvania General Assembly to the United States Senate. The Pennsylvania General Assembly, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, convened on January 14, 1845, to elect a Senator to serve the term beginning on March 4, 1845. The results of the vote of both houses combined are as follows:

State Legislature Results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Daniel Sturgeon (Incumbent) 72 54.14
Whig James Cooper 49 36.84
Know Nothing John Ashmead 5 3.76
Know Nothing E. W. Keyser 2 1.50
Know Nothing Jacob Broom 1 0.75
Know Nothing E. C. Reigert 1 0.75
Whig John Sergeant 1 0.75
N/A Not voting 2 1.50
Totals 133 100.00%

Pennsylvania (special)

Main article: 1845 United States Senate special election in Pennsylvania

A special election was held March 13, 1845. Simon Cameron was elected by the Pennsylvania General Assembly to the United States Senate. Democratic future-U.S. president James Buchanan was elected in an 1834 special election and was re-elected in 1836 and 1843.

Senator Buchanan resigned on March 5, 1845, after being appointed U.S. Secretary of State by President James K. Polk.

Following the resignation of senator Buchanan, the Pennsylvania General Assembly convened on March 13, 1845, to elect a new senator to fill the vacancy and serve the remainder of the term set to expire on March 4, 1849. Five ballots were recorded. The results of the fifth and final ballot of both houses combined are as follows:

State Legislature Results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Simon Cameron 67 50.38
Democratic George W. Woodward 55 41.35
Whig J. R. Ingersoll 2 1.50
Whig John Banks 1 0.75
Know Nothing Peter A. Brown 1 0.75
Unknown Thomas S. Bell 1 0.75
Whig T. D. Cochran 1 0.75
N/A Not voting 5 3.76
Totals 133 100.00%

Rhode Island

See also: List of United States senators from Rhode Island and 1845 United States House of Representatives elections in Rhode Island
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)

Rhode Island (regular)

Rhode Island (special)

South Carolina (special)

See also: List of United States senators from South Carolina and 1844 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)

Tennessee

See also: List of United States senators from Tennessee and 1845 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)

Vermont

See also: List of United States senators from Vermont and 1844 United States House of Representatives elections in Vermont
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)

Virginia

See also: List of United States senators from Virginia and 1845 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)

Virginia (regular)

Virginia (special)

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. J. Fred Parker, Secretary of State (1914). Manual, with Rules and Orders, for the use of the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island, 1914. State of Rhode Island manual. Providence, RI: E. L. Freeman Company, State Printers. p. 149.
  3. "Rhode Island". The Whig standard. Washington, D.C. January 29, 1844. p. 2. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  4. ^ Taylor & Taylor, p. 215, vol I.
  5. "Our Campaigns - MD US Senate Race - Feb 00, 1845". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  6. ^ "U.S. Senate Election - 14 January 1845" (PDF). Wilkes University. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  7. "PA US Senate". OurCampaigns. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  8. ^ "U.S. Senate Election - 13 March 1845" (PDF). Wilkes University. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  9. "BUCHANAN, James, (1791 - 1868)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)

Sources and external links

United States Senate elections
1788–1913
(elected by state
legislatures)
1914–present
(popular election)
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