Start date October 4, 1858 | ||
The election to the United States House of Representatives in Florida for the 36th Congress was held October 4, 1858. This was the last election before the American Civil War to send a Representative to Congress. An election was held in 1860, but the winner of that race did not serve in Congress, Florida seceding prior to the start of the 37th Congress.
Contents
Background
The 1858 election was held in the middle of President James Buchanan's presidency, amid growing tensions between North and South.
Post-Election
After Abraham Lincoln's victory in the 1860 election, the growing tension between the Northern and Southern states reached a breaking point, and several states seceded to form the Confederate States of America. On January 21, 1861, Hawkins and both of Florida's Senators left Congress after Florida seceded from the Union. A congressional election had already been held, but its winner would not serve in Congress. This would prove to be the last successful Congressional election in Florida until 1868