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1890 United States House of Representatives elections

← 1888 June 3, 1890 – November 4, 1890 1892 →
All 332 seats in the United States House of Representatives 167 seats needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party Third party   Leader Charles Frederick Crisp Thomas Brackett Reed Jerry Simpson Party Democratic Republican Populist Leader's seat Georgia 3rd Maine 1st Kansas 7th Last election 152 seats 179 seats 0 seats Seats won 238 86 8 Seat change 86 93 8 Popular vote 4,945,756 4,173,605 182,797 Percentage 50.71% 42.80% 1.87% Swing 2.03% 4.56% New
Results:      Democratic gain      Republican gain      Democratic hold      Republican hold      Populist gain
Speaker before election Thomas Reed Republican Elected Speaker Charles Crisp Democratic

The 1890 United States House of Representatives elections were held for the most part on November 4, 1890, with five states holding theirs early in between June and October. They occurred in the middle of President Benjamin Harrison's term. Elections were held for 332 seats of the United States House of Representatives, representing 44 states, to serve in the 52nd United States Congress. Special elections were also held throughout the year.

A stagnant economy which became worse after the Panic of 1890, combined with a lack of support for then-Representative William McKinley's (defeated in the election) steep tariff act, which favored large industries at the expense of consumers, led to a sharp defeat for Harrison's Republican Party, giving a large majority to the Democratic Party and presaging Harrison's defeat in the 1892 United States presidential election. The Republican-controlled Congress was highly criticized for its lavish spending, and it earned the unflattering nickname of The Billion Dollar Congress. The Democrats promised to cut the outlandish budget.

Furthermore, aggressive Republican promotion of controversial English-only education laws enacted by Wisconsin and Illinois in 1889, accompanied by a surge in nativist and anti-Catholic sentiment within the state parties, had greatly hollowed out the party's support base in these former strongholds. A rare multi-confessional alliance of mainly German clergy rallied their flocks in defense of language and faith to the Democratic Party, which tore through incumbent Republican majorities in both states, capturing a total of 11 formerly Republican seats between them alone. Bitterly divisive struggles over temperance laws had also been alienating immigrants from the increasingly prohibitionist Republican Party across the Midwest more broadly. Dramatic losses in the previous year's gubernatorial elections in Iowa and Ohio (which would lose another 14 Republican congressional seats between them during this election) were due in no small part to wet immigrant communities, especially Germans, expressing their resentment toward Republican efforts to ban or otherwise curtail alcohol consumption by throwing their support behind the Democratic candidates.

This election also saw the Populist Party, a coalition of farmers and laborers who wanted to overhaul the nation's financial system, make a small mark on Congress.

Special elections

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (September 2020)

• Kentucky 6: June 21, 1890: William W. Dickerson (D) elected to finish the term of John G. Carlisle (D), who had resigned May 26, 1890 when elected U.S. senator. Democratic hold. Dickerson: 8,412 (63.95%), Wesley M. Rardin (R) 4,742 (36.05%).
• California 1: December 9, 1890: Thomas J. Geary (D) elected to finish the term of John J. De Haven (R), who had resigned October 1, 1890. Democratic gain.
• Iowa 7
• Missouri 14: James P. Walker (D) died July 19, 1890, and Robert H. Whitelaw (D) was elected November 4, 1890. Democratic hold.

Election summaries

State	Type	Total seats	Democratic		Populist		Republican
			Seats	Change	Seats	Change	Seats	Change
Alabama	District	8	8	1	0		0	1
Arkansas	District	5	5	2	0	1	0	1
California	District	6	2		0		4
Colorado	At-large	1	0		0		1
Connecticut	District	4	3	2	0		1	2
Delaware	At-large	1	1		0		0
Florida	District	2	2		0		0
Georgia	District	10	10		0		0
Idaho	At-large	1	0		0		1
Illinois	District	20	14	7	0		6	7
Indiana	District	13	11	1	0		2	1
Iowa	District	11	6	5	0		5	5
Kansas	District	7	0		5	5	2	5
Kentucky	District	11	10	1	0		1	1
Louisiana	District	6	6	1	0		0	1
Maine	District	4	0		0		4
Maryland	District	6	6	3	0		0	3
Massachusetts	District	12	7	5	0		5	5
Michigan	District	11	8	6	0		3	6
Minnesota	District	5	3	3	1	1	1	4
Mississippi	District	7	7		0		0
Missouri	District	14	14	4	0		0	4
Montana	At-large	1	1	1	0		0	1
Nebraska	District	3	1	1	2	2	0	3
Nevada	At-large	1	0		0		1
New Hampshire	District	2	2	2	0		0	2
New Jersey	District	7	5	2	0		2	2
New York	District	34	23	8	0		11	8
North Carolina	District	9	8	2	0		1	2
North Dakota	At-large	1	0		0		1
Ohio	District	21	14	9	0		7	9
Oregon	At-large	1	0		0		1
Pennsylvania	District	28	11	4	0		17	4
Rhode Island	District	2	2	2	0		0	2
South Carolina	District	7	7		0		0
South Dakota	At-large	2	0		0		2
Tennessee	District	10	8	1	0		2	1
Texas	District	11	11		0		0
Vermont	District	2	0		0		2
Virginia	District	10	10	4	0		0	4
Washington	At-large	1	0		0		1
West Virginia	District	4	4	2	0		0	2
Wisconsin	District	9	8	6	0		1	6
Wyoming	At-large	1	0		0		1
Total		332	238 71.7%	74	8 2.4%	9	86 25.9%	83

The previous election of 1888 saw the election of one Labor Party representative in Arkansas.

Early election dates

In 1890, five states, with 9 seats among them, held elections early:

• June 3 Oregon
• September 2 Vermont
• September 8 Maine
• September 11 Idaho
• October 1 Wyoming

Idaho and Wyoming held elections for both the outgoing 51st Congress and the incoming 52nd Congress in 1890, having been admitted that year, and held future elections on the standard election day.

Alabama

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2020)

Arkansas

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2020)

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2020)

Idaho

There were two elections to the new state of Idaho.

51st Congress

52nd Congress

Illinois

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2020)

Indiana

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2020)

Iowa

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2020)

Kansas

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2020)

Kentucky

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2020)

Louisiana

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2020)

Maine

Maryland

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2020)

Massachusetts

Michigan

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2020)

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2020)

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2020)

New Hampshire

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2020)

New Jersey

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2020)

New York

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2020)

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

The Ohio Legislature redistricted the state between censuses. Coupled with other Democratic gains, this redistricting gave the Democrats a nine-seat net gain.

Oregon

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2020)

Pennsylvania

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2020)

Rhode Island

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2020)

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2020)

Utah

See Non-voting delegates below.

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wisconsin elected nine members of congress on Election Day, November 4, 1890.

Wyoming

Republican Clarence D. Clark was elected over Democrat George T. Beck in a single ballot both to finish the current term (ending 1891) and the next term (beginning 1891).

Non-voting delegates

51st Congress

52nd Congress

See also

• 1890 United States elections
  • 1890–91 United States Senate elections
• 51st United States Congress
• 52nd United States Congress

Notes

1. ^ Dubin (pp. 293–94) counts 235 Democrats, 88 Republicans, and 8 Populists at the opening of the 52nd Congress.
2. One Labor Party member had been elected in 1888.
3. ^ Elections held early.
4. After disputed election.

References

1. ^ Martis, p. 144–145.
2. Jensen, Richard J. (1971). "5: The Winning of the Midwest: Social and Political Conflict, 1888-1896". Education, the Tariff, and the Melting Pot. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. pp. 122–153. ISBN 9780226398259.
3. Jensen, p. ch. 4: Iowa, Wet or Dry?. pp. 89-121.
4. "Our Campaigns - KY - District 06 Special Election Race - Jun 21, 1890". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
5. ^ Martis.
6. ^ Kalb, Deborah, ed. (2010). Guide to U.S. Elections. Washington, DC: CQ Press. pp. 1086–1089. ISBN 978-1-60426-536-1.
7. "State of Connecticut Elections Database » Search Past Election Results". State of Connecticut Elections Database. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
8. "ID At Large - Initial Election". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
9. "ID - At Large". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
10. University of Minnesota Libraries. "Minnesota Historical Election Archive". Minnesota Historical Election Archive. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
11. "MS - District 01". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
12. "MS - District 02". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
13. "MS - District 03". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
14. "MS - District 04". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
15. "MS - District 05". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
16. "MS - District 06". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
17. "MS - District 07". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
18. "MT - At Large". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
19. "Our Campaigns - NE - District 01 Race - Nov 4, 1890". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
20. "Our Campaigns - NE - District 02 Race - Nov 4, 1890". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
21. "Our Campaigns - NE - District 03 Race - Nov 4, 1890". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
22. "ND At Large". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
23. Smith, Joseph P, ed. (1898). History of the Republican Party in Ohio. Vol. I. Chicago: the Lewis Publishing Company. pp. 592, 593.
24. "SD At Large". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
25. "TN - District 01". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
26. "TN - District 02". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
27. "TN - District 03". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
28. "TN - District 04". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
29. "TN - District 05". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
30. "TN - District 06". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
31. "TN - District 07". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
32. "TN - District 08". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
33. "TN - District 09". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
34. "TN - District 10". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
35. "WV District 01". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
36. "WV District 02". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
37. "WV District 03". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
38. "WV District 04". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
39. "Wisconsin U.S. House Election Results" (PDF). Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 5, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2021 – via Wayback Machine.
40. Cunningham, Thomas J., ed. (1891). "Biographical" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. pp. 572–574. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
41. ^ "Our Campaigns - WY At-Large Race - Sep 11, 1890". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
42. "Our Campaigns - OK Territorial Delegate - Initial Election Race - Nov 04, 1890".
43. "Our Campaigns - OK Territorial Delegate Race - Nov 04, 1890".
44. "CAINE, John Thomas (1829-1911)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved May 19, 2022.

Bibliography

• Dubin, Michael J. (March 1, 1998). United States Congressional Elections, 1788-1997: The Official Results of the Elections of the 1st Through 105th Congresses. McFarland and Company. ISBN 978-0786402830.
• Martis, Kenneth C. (January 1, 1989). The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress, 1789-1989. Macmillan Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0029201701.
• Moore, John L., ed. (1994). Congressional Quarterly's Guide to U.S. Elections (Third ed.). Congressional Quarterly Inc. ISBN 978-0871879967.
• "Party Divisions of the House of Representatives* 1789–Present". Office of the Historian, House of United States House of Representatives. Retrieved January 21, 2015.

External links

• Office of the Historian (Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives)

• 1890 United States House of Representatives elections
• Presidency of Benjamin Harrison