1894 United States House of Representatives elections
House elections for the 54th U.S. Congress
The 1894 United States House of Representatives elections were held from June 4, 1894, to November 6, 1894, with special elections throughout the year. Elections were held to elect representatives from all 356 congressional districts across each of the 44 U.S. states at the time, as well as non-voting delegates from the inhabited U.S. territories . The winners of this election served in the 54th Congress , with seats apportioned among the states based on the 1890 United States census .
The elections comprised a significant political realignment , with a major Republican landslide that set the stage for the decisive election of 1896 . The 1894 elections came in the middle of Democratic President Grover Cleveland 's second term. The nation was in its deepest economic depression yet following the Panic of 1893 , which pushed economic issues to the forefront. In the spring, a major coal strike damaged the economy of the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic . It was accompanied by violence; the miners lost and many joined the Populist Party . Immediately after the coal strike concluded, Eugene V. Debs led a nationwide railroad strike . It shut down the nation's transportation system west of Detroit for weeks, until President Cleveland's use of federal troops ended the strike. Debs went to prison for disobeying a court order. Illinois Governor John Peter Altgeld , a Democrat, broke bitterly with Cleveland.
The fragmented and disoriented Democratic Party was crushed everywhere outside of the South, losing more than 55% of its seats to the Republican Party. The Democrats did so poorly that even in the South, they lost seats to the Republican-Populist electoral fusion in Alabama , North Carolina , Tennessee , Kentucky , and Texas .[ 2] [ 3] The Democrats ultimately lost 127 seats in this election, with the Republicans gaining 130 seats after the resolution of several contested elections.
The Democratic Party failed to win one seat in twenty-four states and only won one seat in six states. Prominent Democrats in the house including Richard P. Bland , William S. Holman , William M. Springer , and William L. Wilson were defeated in the election.[ 4] To date, the 1894 election represents the largest seat swing in a single election in the history of the House of Representatives; the only other occasion where a political party has suffered triple-digit losses was in 1932 .
The main issues revolved around the severe economic depression, which the Republicans blamed on the conservative Bourbon Democrats led by Cleveland. Cleveland supporters lost heavily, weakening their hold on the party and setting the stage for an 1896 takeover by the free silver wing of the party. The Populist Party ran candidates in the South and Midwest, but generally lost ground outside of the South. The Democrats tried to raise a religious issue, claiming the GOP was in cahoots with the anti-Catholic American Protective Association ; the allegations seem to have fallen flat as Catholics swung towards the GOP.[ 5]
Election summaries
↓
93
10
254
Democratic
[ h]
Republican
Popular vote
Republican
48.27%
Democratic
37.72%
Populist
11.02%
Silver
0.04%
Independent
0.73%
Others
2.22%
House seats
Republican
71.07%
Democratic
26.12%
Populist
2.53%
Silver
0.28%
House seats by party holding plurality in state 80+% Democratic
80+% Republican
60+ to 80% Democratic
60+ to 80% Republican
Up to 60% Democratic
Up to 60% Populist
Up to 60% Republican
Net gain in party representation 6+ Democratic gain
6+ Republican gain
3 to 5 Democratic gain
3 to 5 Republican gain
1 to 2 Democratic gain
1 to 2 Populist gain
1 to 2 Republican gain
no net change
Special elections
15 special elections took place in 1894 leading up to and following the general election. They are listed below in order of election date then by state and district. Republicans flipped 3 seats in the special elections in New York's 14th , Kentucky's 9th , and Maryland's 5th congressional districts.
District
Incumbent
This race
Member
Party
First elected
Results
Candidates
Virginia 7
Charles T. O'Ferrall
Democratic
1884 (special)
Incumbent resigned December 28, 1893 after being elected Governor of Virginia . New member elected January 30, 1894. Democratic hold. Winner later re-elected in November; see below .
▌ Y Smith S. Turner (Democratic) 65.09%
▌ E. D. Root (Republican) 34.59%
▌ Basil Gordon (unknown) 0.32%[ 6]
New York 14
John R. Fellows
Democratic
1890
Incumbent resigned December 31, 1893 to become District Attorney of New York City . New member elected January 30, 1894.Republican gain. Winner later re-elected in November; see below .
▌ Y Lemuel E. Quigg (Republican) 49.62%
▌ William L. Brown (Democratic) 46.14%
▌ Daniel De Leon (Socialist Labor) 2.46%
▌ George Munro (Prohibition) 0.90%
▌ George A. Hunter (Populist) 0.88%[ 7]
Pennsylvania at-large
William Lilly
Republican
1892
Incumbent died December 1, 1893. New member elected February 26, 1894. Republican hold.
South Carolina 1
William H. Brawley
Democratic
1890
Incumbent resigned February 12, 1894, to become judge for the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina . New member elected April 12, 1894. Democratic hold.
Maryland 1
Robert F. Brattan
Democratic
1892
Incumbent died May 10, 1894. New member elected November 6, 1894. Democratic hold.
Ohio 3
George W. Houk
Democratic
1890
Incumbent died February 9, 1894. New member elected May 21, 1894. Democratic hold.
Wisconsin 7
George B. Shaw
Republican
1892
Incumbent died August 27, 1894. New member elected November 6, 1894. Republican hold.[ 8]
▌ Y Michael Griffin (Republican) 57.8%
▌ George W. Levis (Democratic) 32.5%
▌ Clement H. Van Worner (Populist) 5.3%
▌ Edward Berg (Prohibition) 4.1%
▌ William F. Button (Independent) 0.4%
Alabama 3
William C. Oates
Democratic
1880
Incumbent resigned November 5, 1894, after being elected Governor of Alabama . New member elected November 6, 1894. Democratic hold.
Kentucky 9
Thomas H. Paynter
Democratic
1888
Incumbent resigned January 5, 1895, having been elected to the Kentucky Court of Appeals . New member elected November 6, 1894 and seated March 4, 1895.Republican gain.
Maryland 5
Barnes Compton
Democratic
1884 1890 (lost contest) 1890
Incumbent resigned May 15, 1894, to become a naval officer. New member elected November 6, 1894.Republican gain.
Arkansas 2
Clifton R. Breckinridge
Democratic
1882
Incumbent resigned August 14, 1894, to become U.S. Minister to Russia . New member elected December 3, 1894. Democratic hold.
Kentucky 10
Marcus C. Lisle
Democratic
1892
Incumbent died July 7, 1894. New member elected December 3, 1894. Democratic hold.
Louisiana 4
Newton C. Blanchard
Democratic
1880
Incumbent resigned March 12, 1894, to become a U.S. Senator . New member elected December 3, 1894. Democratic hold.
Ohio 2
John A. Caldwell
Republican
1888
Incumbent resigned April 4, 1894, to become Mayor of Cincinnati . New member elected December 3, 1894. Republican hold.
New York 15
Ashbel P. Fitch
Democratic
1886
Incumbent resigned December 26, 1893, to become New York City Comptroller . New member elected December 30, 1894. Democratic hold.
Early election dates
In 1894, three states, with 8 seats among them, held elections early:
Alabama
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(February 2020 )
Arkansas
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(February 2020 )
California
Colorado
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(February 2020 )
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
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(February 2020 )
Idaho
District
Incumbent
This race
Member
Party
First elected
Results
Candidates
Idaho at-large
Willis Sweet
Republican
1890
Incumbent retired. Republican hold.
▌ Y Edgar Wilson (Republican) 43.38%
▌ James Gunn (Populist) 31.53%
▌ James M. Ballatine (Democratic) 24.37%
▌ William J. Boone (Prohibition) 0.72%[ 11]
Illinois
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(February 2020 )
Indiana
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(February 2020 )
Iowa
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(February 2020 )
Kansas
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(February 2020 )
Kentucky
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(February 2020 )
Louisiana
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(February 2020 )
Maine
Maryland
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(February 2020 )
Massachusetts
Michigan
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(February 2020 )
Minnesota
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(February 2020 )
Mississippi
Missouri
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(February 2020 )
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
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(February 2020 )
New Jersey
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(February 2020 )
New Mexico
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New York
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(February 2020 )
North Carolina
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(February 2020 )
North Dakota
Ohio
Oregon
District
Incumbent
This race
Member
Party
First elected
Results
Candidates
Oregon 1
Binger Hermann
Republican
1884
Incumbent re-elected.
▌ Y Binger Hermann (Republican) 47.62%
▌ Charles Miller (Populist) 26.99%
▌ J. K. Weatherford (Democratic) 23.08%
▌ John D. Hurst (Prohibition) 2.31%[ 29]
Oregon 2
William R. Ellis
Republican
1892
Incumbent re-elected.
▌ Y William R. Ellis (Republican) 47.89%
▌ Joseph Waldrop (Populist) 27.27%
▌ James H. Raley (Democratic) 22.87%
▌ A. F. Miller (Prohibition) 1.97%[ 30]
Pennsylvania
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(February 2020 )
Rhode Island
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(February 2020 )
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
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(February 2020 )
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wisconsin elected ten members of congress on Election Day, November 6, 1894.[ 8] [ 63]
Wyoming
Non-voting delegates
Oklahoma Territory
See also
Notes
^ Three states held early elections between June 4 and September 10.
^ Not including special elections
^ a b Includes late elections.
^ Includes two vacancies.
^ a b c d e f g h Martis's figure includes Utah, which held its election in 1895 and is therefore not covered in this article.[ 1]
^ a b c Dubin (p. 312) counts 244 Republicans, 105 Democrats, 7 Populists, and 1 Silver at the opening of the 54th Congress , before the results of several contested elections were overturned in favor of Republican (and a few Populist) candidates. Dubin counts 253 Republicans, 93 Democrats, 9 Populists, and 1 Silver at the start of the 2nd session of the 54th Congress, which closely matches Martis' figure (pp. 148–49). Dubin's figure includes Utah, which held its election in 1895 and is therefore not covered in this article.
^ Includes five vacancies.
^ Populists won 9 seats and Silver won 1.
^ a b c Elections held early.
^ Full name unavailable.
References
^ Martis, pp. 148–49.
^ "Senate and House Secured; Republican Control in the Next Congress Assured" . The New York Times . November 9, 1894. p. 5.
^ "African-Americans and Populism" . Archived from the original on June 22, 2006. Retrieved July 2, 2010 .
^ Murphy, Paul (1974). Political Parties In American History, Volume 3, 1890-present . G. P. Putnam's Sons .
^ Jensen (1971), Chap. 9.
^ "Our Campaigns - VA - District 07 Special Election Race - Jan 30, 1894" . Our Campaigns .
^ "NY - District 14 - History" . Our Campaigns .
^ a b "Wisconsin U.S. House Election Results" (PDF) . Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 5, 2012. Retrieved March 8, 2022 – via Wayback Machine .
^ Data incomplete.
^ "Our Campaigns - DE District At Large Race - Nov 06, 1894" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved April 30, 2023 .
^ "ID At Large" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved April 4, 2021 .
^ "MS - District 01" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved March 14, 2021 .
^ "MS - District 02" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved March 14, 2021 .
^ "MS - District 03" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved March 14, 2021 .
^ "MS - District 04" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved March 14, 2021 .
^ "MS - District 05" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved March 14, 2021 .
^ "MS - District 06" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved March 14, 2021 .
^ "MS - District 07" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved March 14, 2021 .
^ "MT At-Large" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved April 5, 2021 .
^ "Our Campaigns - NE - District 01 Race - Nov 6, 1894" . www.ourcampaigns.com . Retrieved September 26, 2021 .
^ "Our Campaigns - NE - District 02 Race - Nov 6, 1894" . www.ourcampaigns.com . Retrieved September 26, 2021 .
^ "Our Campaigns - NE - District 03 Race - Nov 6, 1894" . www.ourcampaigns.com . Retrieved September 26, 2021 .
^ "Our Campaigns - NE - District 04 Race - Nov 6, 1894" . www.ourcampaigns.com . Retrieved September 26, 2021 .
^ "Our Campaigns - NE - District 05 Race - Nov 6, 1894" . www.ourcampaigns.com . Retrieved September 26, 2021 .
^ "Our Campaigns - NE - District 06 Race - Nov 6, 1894" . www.ourcampaigns.com . Retrieved September 26, 2021 .
^ "Our Campaigns - NV At-Large Race - Nov 6, 1894" . www.ourcampaigns.com . Retrieved May 1, 2023 .
^ "ND At Large" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved April 6, 2021 .
^ Smith, Joseph P, ed. (1898). History of the Republican Party in Ohio . Vol. I. Chicago: the Lewis Publishing Company. pp. 656–57.
^ "Our Campaigns - OR - District 01 Race - Jun 04, 1894" . www.ourcampaigns.com . Retrieved November 20, 2021 .
^ "Our Campaigns - OR - District 02 Race - Jun 04, 1894" . www.ourcampaigns.com . Retrieved November 20, 2021 .
^ "Our Campaigns - SC - District 01 Race - Nov 06, 1894" . www.ourcampaigns.com .
^ "Our Campaigns - SC - District 01 Race - Nov 06, 1894" . www.ourcampaigns.com .
^ "SD At Large" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved April 8, 2021 .
^ "TN - District 01" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved February 27, 2021 .
^ "TN - District 02" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved February 27, 2021 .
^ "TN - District 03" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved February 27, 2021 .
^ "TN - District 04" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved February 27, 2021 .
^ "TN - District 05" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved February 27, 2021 .
^ "TN - District 06" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved February 27, 2021 .
^ "TN - District 07" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved February 27, 2021 .
^ "TN - District 08" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved February 27, 2021 .
^ "TN - District 09" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved February 27, 2021 .
^ "TN - District 10" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved February 27, 2021 .
^ "TX - District 01" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved April 7, 2024 .
^ "TX - District 02" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved April 7, 2024 .
^ "TX - District 03" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved April 7, 2024 .
^ "TX - District 04" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved April 7, 2024 .
^ "TX - District 05" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved April 7, 2024 .
^ "TX - District 06" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved April 7, 2024 .
^ "TX - District 07" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved April 7, 2024 .
^ "TX - District 08" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved April 7, 2024 .
^ "TX - District 09" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved April 7, 2024 .
^ "TX - District 10" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved April 7, 2024 .
^ "TX - District 11" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved April 7, 2024 .
^ "TX- District 12" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved April 7, 2024 .
^ "TX - District 13" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved April 7, 2024 .
^ "VT Elections Database » Vermont Election Results and Statistics" . VT Elections Database . Retrieved August 29, 2024 .
^ "Virginia Elections Database » Virginia Election Results and Statistics" . Virginia Elections Database . Retrieved September 3, 2024 .
^ "WV District 01" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved April 20, 2021 .
^ "WV District 02" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved April 20, 2021 .
^ "WV District 03" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved April 20, 2021 .
^ "WV District 04" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved April 20, 2021 .
^ Casson, Henry, ed. (1895). "Biographical Sketches" (PDF) . The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). Madison, Wisconsin : State of Wisconsin. pp. 658–660. Retrieved March 8, 2022 .
^ "WY At-Large" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved April 12, 2021 .
^ "Our Campaigns - OK Territorial Delegate Race - Nov 06, 1894" . www.ourcampaigns.com .
Bibliography
Republican Congressional Committee, Republican Campaign Text Book: 1894 (1894).
Jensen, Richard. The Winning of the Midwest: Social and Political Conflict, 1888–1896 (1971).
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 .
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