1908 United States House of Representatives elections
House elections for the 61st U.S. Congress
1908 United States House of Representatives elections
The 1908 United States House of Representatives elections were held for the most part on November 3, 1908, with Oregon, Maine, and Vermont holding theirs early in either June or September. They coincided with the 1908 United States presidential election , which William Howard Taft won. Elections were held for all 391 seats of the United States House of Representatives , representing 46 states, to serve in the 61st United States Congress .
Taft was not as popular as his predecessor, Theodore Roosevelt ,[citation needed ] but won with Roosevelt's backing, and his Republican Party lost only a handful of seats to the opposition Democrats . Without any striking national issues, the Republicans were able to remain in control. Regional issues led to some changes in House membership, but new Democrats who were elected by dissatisfied industrial workers were balanced out by new Republicans who gained seats in districts with a strong middle class presence.
Election summaries
↓
172
219
Democratic
Republican
Popular vote
Democratic
45.38%
Independent
0.43%
Others
4.14%
Republican
50.05%
House seats
Democratic
43.99%
Independent
0.26%
Republican
55.75%
House seats by party holding plurality in state 80+% Democratic
80+% Republican
60+ to 80% Democratic
60+ to 80% Republican
Up to 60% Democratic
Up to 60% Republican
Net gain in party representation 6+ Democratic gain
6+ Republican gain
3-5 Democratic gain
3-5 Republican gain
1-2 Democratic gain
1-2 Republican gain
no net change
Special elections
There were nine special elections in 1908.
District
Incumbent
This race
Member
Party
First elected
Results
Candidates
Illinois 25
George W. Smith
Republican
1902
Incumbent died November 30, 1907. New member elected February 15, 1908. Republican hold.
Alabama 2
Ariosto A. Wiley
Democratic
1900
Incumbent died June 17, 1908. New member elected November 3, 1908 to finish his brother's term. Democratic hold.
Indiana 13
Abraham L. Brick
Republican
1898
Incumbent died April 7, 1908. New member elected November 3, 1908.Democratic gain. Winner was also elected the same day to the next term; see below .
Louisiana 1
Adolph Meyer
Democratic
1890
Incumbent died March 8, 1908. New member elected November 3, 1908. Democratic hold. Winner was also elected the same day to the next term; see below .
Maine 2
Charles E. Littlefield
Republican
1899 (special)
Incumbent died September 30, 1908. New member elected November 3, 1908. Republican hold. Winner had already been elected to the next term; see below .
Maine 4
Llewellyn Powers
Republican
1876 1878 (lost) 1901 (special)
Incumbent died July 28, 1908. New member elected November 3, 1908. Republican hold. Winner had already been elected to the next term; see below .
New York 3
Charles T. Dunwell
Republican
1902
Incumbent died June 12, 1908. New member elected November 3, 1908. Republican hold. Winner was also elected the same day to the next term; see below .
South Dakota at-large
William H. Parker
Republican
1906
Incumbent died June 26, 1908. New member elected November 3, 1908. Republican hold. Winner was also elected the same day to the next term; see below .
Regular election dates
All the states held their regular elections November 3, 1908 except for three, which, held elections:
Alabama
Alaska Territory
See Non-voting delegates , below.
Arizona Territory
See Non-voting delegates , below.
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
District
Incumbent
This race
Member
Party
First elected
Results
Candidates[ 12]
Connecticut 1
E. Stevens Henry
Republican
1894
Incumbent re-elected.
▌ Thomas Lisk (Socialist) 3.2%
▌ Duane N. Griffin (Prohibition) 2.1%
▌ Charles J. Backofen (Soc. Labor) 0.5%
Connecticut 2
Nehemiah D. Sperry
Republican
1894
Incumbent re-elected.
▌ A. Judson Bolster (Prohibition) 0.8%
▌ Charles B. Wells (Soc. Labor) 0.2%
Connecticut 3
Edwin W. Higgins
Republican
1905 (special)
Incumbent re-elected.
▌ Jason L. Randall (Prohibition) 1.2%
▌ Albert J. Boardman (Socialist) 1.2%
▌ John J. Murphy (Soc. Labor) 0.2%
Connecticut 4
Ebenezer J. Hill
Republican
1894
Incumbent re-elected.
▌ Samiel E. Beardsley (Socialist) 2.1%
▌ Wilbur G. Manchester (Prohibition) 1.0%
▌ Thomas Wilkes (Soc. Labor) 0.4%
Connecticut at-large
George L. Lilley
Republican
1904
Incumbent retired to run for governor. Republican hold.
▌ Y John Q. Tilson (Republican) 58.6%
▌ Christopher Avery (Democratic) 36.8%
▌ Jasper McLevy (Socialist) 2.7%
▌ Elisha Y. Ellis (Prohibition) 1.2%
▌ Edward Prior (Soc. Labor) 0.3%
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
District
Incumbent
This race
Member
Party
First elected
Results
Candidates[ 13]
Idaho at-large
Burton L. French
Republican
1902
Incumbent lost renomination. Republican hold.
▌ Y Thomas R. Hamer (Republican) 53.27%
▌ James L. McClear (Democratic) 40.08%
▌ Halbert Barton (Socialist) 6.66%
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico Territory
See Non-voting delegates , below.
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
District
Incumbent
This race
Member
Party
First elected
Results
Candidates[ 35]
Oregon 1
Willis C. Hawley
Republican
1906
Incumbent re-elected.
▌ Y Willis C. Hawley (Republican) 58.8%
▌ J. J. Whitney (Democratic) 27.4%
▌ W. S. Richards (Socialist) 8.0%
▌ Daniel Staver (Prohibition) 5.9%
Oregon 2
William R. Ellis
Republican
1906
Incumbent re-elected.
▌ Y William R. Ellis (Republican) 63.6%
▌ John A. Jeffrey (Democratic) 24.8%
▌ G. E. Sanders (Socialist) 6.9%
▌ H. C. Shaffer (Prohibition) 4.8%
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
District
Incumbent
This race
Member
Party
First elected
Results
Candidates[ 36]
South Dakota at-large (2 seats elected on a general ticket )
Philo Hall
Republican
1906
Incumbent lost renomination. Republican hold.
▌ Y Eben Martin (Republican) 29.99%
▌ Y Charles H. Burke (Republican) 29.91%
▌ Robert E. Dowdell (Democratic) 17.20%
▌ Andrew H. Olson (Democratic) 17.14%
▌ E. S. Chappell (Prohibition) 1.68%
▌ L. R. Erskine (Prohibition) 1.66%
▌ T. G. Deffebach (Socialist) 1.19%
▌ S. H. Goodfellow (Socialist) 1.18%
Vacant (incumbent died June 26, 1908)
Republican hold.
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
District
Incumbent
This race
Member
Party
First elected
Results
Candidates[ 47]
Vermont 1
David J. Foster
Republican
1900
Incumbent re-elected.
▌ Y David J. Foster (Republican) 71.8%
▌ Emile Blais (Democratic) 26.0%
▌ Edwin R. Towle (Prohibition) 1.5%
▌ Joseph W. Dunbar (Socialist) 0.8%
Vermont 2
Kittredge Haskins
Republican
1900
Incumbent retired. Republican hold.
▌ Y Frank Plumley (Republican) 75.9%
▌ Andrew J. Sibley (Democratic) 21.9%
▌ William V. McLaughlin (Prohibition) 1.3%
▌ Timothy Ivers (Socialist) 0.9%
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wisconsin elected eleven members of congress on Election Day, November 3, 1908.[ 55] [ 56]
Wyoming
Non-voting delegates
See also
Notes
^ Regulars only, not including specials
^ One Independent Republican , Peter Porter from the 34th district of New York.
^ a b c Elections held early
^ Changed from at-large.
^ This was the last year that Oregon held its congressional elections early.
References
^ a b "Party Divisions of the House of Representatives* 1789–Present" . Office of the Historian, United States House of Representatives. Retrieved May 18, 2015 .
^ a b Martis, pp. 162–163.
^ "Our Campaigns - IL - District 25 Special Election Race - Feb 15, 1908" .
^ "Our Campaigns - AL - District 02 - Special Election Race - Nov 03, 1908" .
^ "Our Campaigns - IN - District 13 Special Election Race - Nov 03, 1908" .
^ "Our Campaigns - LA - District 01 - Special Election Race - Nov 03, 1908" .
^ "Our Campaigns - ME District 2 - Special Election Race - Nov 03, 1908" .
^ "Our Campaigns - ME District 4 - Special Election Race - Nov 03, 1908" .
^ "Our Campaigns - NY District 3 - Special Election Race - Nov 03, 1908" .
^ "JoinCalifornia - 11-03-1908 Election" . www.joincalifornia.com . Retrieved 2024-10-14 .
^ "State of Colorado Elections Database » Search Past Election Results" . State of Colorado Elections Database . Retrieved 2024-10-10 .
^ "State of Connecticut Elections Database » Search Past Election Results" . State of Connecticut Elections Database . Retrieved 2024-10-09 .
^ "ID At Large" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 4 April 2021 .
^ "Our Campaigns - KA District 05 Race - Nov 03, 1908" . www.ourcampaigns.com . Retrieved 2021-04-20 .
^ "Our Campaigns - KA District 06 Race - Nov 03, 1908" . www.ourcampaigns.com . Retrieved 2021-04-20 .
^ "Our Campaigns - KA District 7 Race - Nov 03, 1908" . www.ourcampaigns.com . Retrieved 2021-04-20 .
^ University of Minnesota Libraries. "Minnesota Historical Election Archive" . Minnesota Historical Election Archive . Retrieved 2024-10-14 .
^ "MS - District 01" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 16 March 2021 .
^ "MS - District 02" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 16 March 2021 .
^ "MS - District 03" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 16 March 2021 .
^ "MS - District 04" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 16 March 2021 .
^ "MS - District 05" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 16 March 2021 .
^ "MS - District 06" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 16 March 2021 .
^ "MS - District 07" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 16 March 2021 .
^ "MS - District 08" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 16 March 2021 .
^ "MT At-Large" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 5 April 2021 .
^ "Our Campaigns - NE - District 01 Race - Nov 3, 1908" . www.ourcampaigns.com . Retrieved 7 October 2021 .
^ "Our Campaigns - NE - District 02 Race - Nov 3, 1908" . www.ourcampaigns.com . Retrieved 7 October 2021 .
^ "Our Campaigns - NE - District 03 Race - Nov 3, 1908" . www.ourcampaigns.com . Retrieved 7 October 2021 .
^ "Our Campaigns - NE - District 04 Race - Nov 3, 1908" . www.ourcampaigns.com . Retrieved 7 October 2021 .
^ "Our Campaigns - NE - District 05 Race - Nov 3, 1908" . www.ourcampaigns.com . Retrieved 7 October 2021 .
^ "Our Campaigns - NE - District 06 Race - Nov 3, 1908" . www.ourcampaigns.com . Retrieved 7 October 2021 .
^ "ND At Large" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 7 April 2021 .
^ "Election Results" . Oklahoma State Election Board . Retrieved 2024-10-14 .
^ "Oregon Secretary of State" . sos.oregon.gov . Retrieved 2024-10-14 .
^ "SD At Large" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 10 April 2021 .
^ "TN - District 01" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 4 March 2021 .
^ "TN - District 02" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 4 March 2021 .
^ "TN - District 03" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 4 March 2021 .
^ "TN - District 04" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 4 March 2021 .
^ "TN - District 05" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 4 March 2021 .
^ "TN - District 06" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 4 March 2021 .
^ "TN - District 07" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 4 March 2021 .
^ "TN - District 08" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 4 March 2021 .
^ "TN - District 09" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 4 March 2021 .
^ "TN - District 10" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 4 March 2021 .
^ "VT Elections Database » Vermont Election Results and Statistics" . VT Elections Database . Retrieved 2024-08-29 .
^ "Virginia Elections Database » Virginia Election Results and Statistics" . Virginia Elections Database . Retrieved 2024-09-03 .
^ "Elections | WA Secretary of State" . www.sos.wa.gov . Retrieved 2024-10-16 .
^ "WV District 01" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 22 April 2021 .
^ "WV District 02" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 22 April 2021 .
^ "WV District 03" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 22 April 2021 .
^ "WV District 04" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 22 April 2021 .
^ "WV District 05" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 22 April 2021 .
^ "Wisconsin U.S. House Election Results" (PDF) . Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 5, 2012. Retrieved March 8, 2022 – via Wayback Machine .
^ Beck, J. D., ed. (1909). "Biographical Sketches". The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin 1909 (Report). Wisconsin Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics. pp. 1084–1087. Retrieved June 9, 2024 .
^ "WY At-Large" . Our Campaigns . Retrieved 12 April 2021 .
^ "Our Campaigns - AK Territorial Delegate Race - Aug 11, 1908" .
^ "Our Campaigns - NM Territorial Delegate Race - Nov 03, 1908" . www.ourcampaigns.com . Retrieved September 16, 2020 .
Bibliography
External links
Elections spanning two years (through 1879) Elections held in a single year (starting 1880)
Regulars and even-year specials Odd-year specials
Elections by state Seat ratings Speaker elections Summaries