August 5, 1850 - November 4, 1851 1852 → 108 seats 0 seats 86 10 Start date 1850 | 113 seats 108 seats 130 86 17 22 | |
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Winner Linn Boyd | ||
Elections to the United States House of Representatives for the 32nd Congress were held at various dates in each state from August 5, 1850 (Iowa and Missouri) to November 4, 1851 (Louisiana and Mississippi). The Democrats gained 17 seats, increasing their majority relative to the Whigs, who lost 22 seats.
Whig President Millard Fillmore, who had gained the presidency after the death of Zachary Taylor, grew increasingly unpopular. The election saw sectionalism and slavery continue to emerge as major issues.
The Constitutional Union Party, formed in support of the Compromise of 1850, gained 10 seats (its first ever) in Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama. The Free Soil Party, which was strongly abolitionist, lost five seats and was reduced to four Representatives, all in New England districts. The States' Rights Party, a pro-slavery states' rights party, gained ground in Georgia and Mississippi.
Election summaries
One district in Massachusetts had been vacant in the 31st Congress. No new seats were added. The previous election had 1 Know-Nothing and 1 Independent