The 1882–83 United States Senate elections were held on various dates in various states. As these U.S. Senate elections were prior to the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913, senators were chosen by

state legislatures A state legislature is a legislative branch or body of a political subdivision in a federal system. Two federations literally use the term "state legislature": * The legislative branches of each of the fifty state governments of the United Stat ...

. Senators were elected over a wide range of time throughout 1882 and 1883, and a seat may have been filled months late or remained vacant due to legislative deadlock. In these elections, terms were up for the senators in

Class 2 Class 2 may refer to: * BR Standard Class 2 2-6-0, British steam locomotive * BR Standard Class 2 2-6-2T, British steam locomotive * Class 2 Touring Cars, FIA classification for cars in auto racing * Classes of U.S. Senators * L&YR Class 2, Bri ...

. The Republicans retained a narrow majority — 39 (and later 40) out of 76 seats — with the

Readjuster The Readjuster Party was a bi-racial state-level political party formed in Virginia across party lines in the late 1870s during the turbulent period following the Reconstruction era that sought to reduce outstanding debt owed by the state. Read ...

s in their caucus.

Results summary

''Colored shading indicates party with largest share of that row.''

Change in Senate composition

Before the elections

After the November 15, 1882 special election in Georgia.

After the elections

Race summaries

Special elections during the 47th Congress

In these elections, the winners were seated during 1882 or in 1883 before March 4; ordered by election date.

Races leading to the 48th Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1883; ordered by state. All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats.

Elections during the 48th Congress

In this election, the winner was elected in 1883 after March 4.

Iowa

On January 25, 1882, the Iowa General Assembly elected

James W. McDill James Wilson McDill (March 4, 1834February 28, 1894) was an American lawyer, state-court judge, Republican United States Representative and Senator from Iowa, state railroad commissioner, and member of the Interstate Commerce Commission. Born ...

(Republican) to finish the term over Moses M. Ham and Daniel Campbell.

James F. Wilson James Falconer "Jefferson Jim" Wilson (October 19, 1828April 22, 1895) was an American lawyer and politician. He served as a Republican U.S. Congressman from Iowa's 1st congressional district during the American Civil War, and later as a two-te ...

(Republican) was elected to the full six-year term on January 25, 1882, over La Vega G. Kinne and Daniel P. Stubbs.

West Virginia

On January 23, 1883, each House of the West Virginia Legislature chose a senator to replace retiring incumbent, Henry G. Davis. In both chambers, the ballot was a three-way race between

John E. Kenna John Edward Kenna (April 10, 1848January 11, 1893) was an American politician who was a Senator from West Virginia from 1883 until his death. Biography Kenna was born in Kanawha County, Virginia (now West Virginia, near the city of St. Albans) ...

, a Democratic congressman, George Loomis, a state judge and former state senator, and Berkeley County resident John Tabb Janney. In the House, the final count was 37 votes for Kenna, 22 votes for Loomis, and 3 votes for Janney. In the Senate, the final count was 17 votes for Kenna, 7 votes for Loomis, and 2 votes for Janney. Kenna, having received the majority of votes in both chambers, was declared duly elected as senator.

Notes

References

Party Division in the Senate, 1789-Present
via Senate.gov * {{DEFAULTSORT:1882-83 United States Senate elections