July 4, 1836 - November 7, 1837 1838 → 128 100 16 seats 8 seats Start date 1836 | 143 seats 75 seats 15 25 7 6 | |
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Elections to the United States House of Representatives for the 25th Congress were held in 1836 and 1837.
Contents
Although Democrat Martin Van Buren was elected president, the Democrats continued to lose seats in the House. The Whigs played off the unpopularity of Jackson's refusal to compromise with Congress or cooperate with the Supreme Court. Despite Whig gains, the Democrats held on to a majority. In addition, the 1836–1837 U.S. House elections saw the continuing decline of the single-issue Anti-Masonic (based on the distrust of Freemasonry) and Nullifier (based on the principle of states' rights) parties. Also, John Pope was elected as an Independent to Kentucky's 7th District.
Election summaries
The 1st session of the 25th Congress began on September 4, 1837, before Arkansas' and Mississippi's Congressional elections. In Mississippi, the governor issued writs for a special election for July 17–18. Initially, the Elections Committee accepted the winners of that election, John F. H. Claiborne (D) and Samuel J. Gholson (D) as holding their seats for the entirety of the 25th Congress. However, the regular November election was also held, and elected Sergeant S. Prentiss (W) and Thomas J. Word (W), and on February 5, 1838, the earlier decision was rescinded, and the winners of the November election were seated in the place of the July winners.
Pennsylvania
There were two special elections to fill vacancies in Pennsylvania's representation during the 25th Congress. The first was in the 3rd district caused by Francis J. Harper (D)'s death on March 18, 1837, shortly after the official start of the 25th Congress, but before the first meeting. Said vacancy was filled by Charles Naylor (W). The second was in the 9th district when Henry A. P. Muhlenberg (D) resigned February 9, 1838, which vacancy was filled by George Keim (D)