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United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania, 1802

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10
  
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Start date
  
October 12, 1802

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Elections to the United States House of Representatives in Pennsylvania for the 8th Congress were held October 12, 1802.

Contents

Background

In the previous election, 13 Representatives (10 Democratic-Republicans and 3 Federalists) had been elected to the 7th Congress. Two (both Democratic-Republicans) had resigned and were replaced in special elections by others of the same party.

Congressional districts

Pennsylvania gained 5 seats in reapportionment following the 1800 census. In redistricting, the number of districts was reduced from 12 to 11, of which four were plural districts with 11 Representatives between them. Most of the new districts had borders that were very different from the previous districts. The new districts were as follows:

  • The 1st district (3 seats) consisted of Delaware and Philadelphia counties (including the City of Philadelphia)
  • The 2nd district (3 seats) consisted of Bucks, Luzerne, Montgomery, Northampton, and Wayne Counties
  • The 3rd district (3 seats) consisted of Berks, Chester, and Lancaster Counties
  • The 4th district (2 seats) consisted of Cumberland, Dauphin, Huntingdon, and Mifflin Counties
  • The 5th district consisted of Centre, Lycoming, and Northumberland Counties
  • The 6th district consisted of Adams and York Counties
  • The 7th district consisted of Bedford and Franklin Counties
  • The 8th district consisted of Armstrong, Somerset, and Westmoreland Counties
  • The 9th district consisted of Fayette and Greene Counties
  • The 10th district consisted of Washington County
  • The 11th district consisted of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Crawford, Erie, Mercer, Venango, and Warren Counties

    • Numerous counties had been created between 1800 and 1802 split off from other counties, and several were still administratively attached to other counties.

    Note: Many of these counties covered much larger areas than they do today, having since been divided into smaller counties

    Election results

    Twelve incumbents ran for re-election (9 Democratic-Republicans and 3 Federalists) ran for re-election, many in new districts. William Jones (DR) of the 1st district did not run for re-election. Of those who ran for re-election, all 9 Democratic-Republicans were re-elected, and all 3 Federalists lost to Democratic-Republicans. The six open seats were all won by Democratic-Republicans, returning an all-Democratic-Republican delegation to the 8th Congress.

    Special election

    William Hoge (DR) of the 10th district resigned October 15, 1804. A special election was held November 2, 1804 to fill the resulting vacancy

    John Hoge was William's brother.

    References

    United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania, 1802 Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA