November 2, 2004 2006 → 232 202 55,958,144 52,969,786 Date 2 November 2004 | 229 seats, 50.0% 204 seats, 45.2% 3 3 49.4% 46.8% Location United States of America | |
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Winner Dennis Hastert Other Instances United States House of, United States House of, United States House of, United States House of, United States House of | ||
Elections to the United States House of Representatives for the 109th Congress were held on November 2, 2004. The House of Representatives has 435 seats. It coincided with the reelection of President George W. Bush. In the 108th Congress, Republicans held 227 seats, Democrats held 205, with two Republican vacancies and one independent. As a result of this election, the 109th Congress began composed of 232 Republicans, 201 Democrats, one independent (who caucuses with the Democrats), and one vacancy (Democratic Representative Bob Matsui won reelection, but died on January 1, 2005, just three days before the beginning of the 109th Congress.). The Republicans thereby built up their House majority by 3 seats (gaining 8 but losing 5).
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Democrats gained open seats in Colorado, South Dakota (through a 2004 special election) and New York and ousting incumbents in Georgia and Illinois. Republicans gained an open seat in Kentucky and ousted an incumbent in Indiana. A pair of seats in Louisiana swapped party control. Republicans gained several redistricted seats in Texas.
On the same date were the 2004 Presidential election, the 2004 Senate election, and many state gubernatorial elections.
Special elections
Three special elections were held apart from those in November. The elected winners would serve the remainder of the incumbent Congress and face re-election in November.
November elections
Key to party abbreviations: AI=American Independent, C=Constitution, D=Democratic, G=Green, I=Independent, IP=Independence Party, PF=Peace and Freedom Party, L=Libertarian, R=Republican.
Louisiana
On December 4, 2004, a run-off election was held to determine the winner of the 3rd and 7th Congressional districts. In the 3rd district, Charlie Melancon narrowly defeated Billy Tauzin III. In the 7th district, Charles Boustany defeated Willie Mount. Thus, both seats switched to the opposite party.
Minnesota
All incumbents were re-elected.
Washington
All seven incumbents who ran for re-election, none of whom faced viable challengers, were returned to Congress. None received less than 60% of the vote, and one received over 80%. In addition, the two seats vacated by retiring Republicans were both reclaimed by Republicans despite Democratic hopes to gain at least one seat in the vulnerable 8th district.