The 1908 United States House of Representatives elections were held, coinciding with the 1908 United States presidential election, which

William Howard Taft William Howard Taft (September 15, 1857March 8, 1930) was the 27th president of the United States (1909–1913) and the tenth chief justice of the United States (1921–1930), the only person to have held both offices. Taft was elected pr ...

won. Taft was not as popular as his predecessor,

Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Jr. ( ; October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919), often referred to as Teddy or by his initials, T. R., was an American politician, statesman, soldier, conservationist, naturalist, historian, and writer who served as the 26t ...

, 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

Special elections

There were nine special elections in 1908. , - ! , George W. Smith , , Republican , 1902 , , Incumbent died November 30, 1907.
New member elected February 15, 1908.
Republican hold. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Ariosto A. Wiley Ariosto Appling Wiley (November 6, 1848 – June 17, 1908) was a U.S. Representative from Alabama, brother of Oliver Cicero Wiley. Early life Born in Clayton, Alabama, Wiley moved with his parents to Troy, Alabama. He attended the common ...

, , Democratic , 1900 , , Incumbent died June 17, 1908.
New member elected November 3, 1908 to finish his brother's term.
Democratic hold. , nowrap , , - ! , Abraham L. Brick , , Republican , 1898 , , Incumbent died April 7, 1908.
New member elected November 3, 1908.
Democratic gain.
Successor was also elected the same day to the next term, see below. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Adolph Meyer Adolph Meyer (October 19, 1842 – March 8, 1908) was a member of the U. S. House of Representatives representing the state of Louisiana. He served nine terms as a Democrat from 1891 until his death in office in 1908. Biography Meyer was bo ...

, , Democratic ,

1890 Events January–March * January 1 ** The Kingdom of Italy establishes Eritrea as its colony, in the Horn of Africa. ** In Michigan, the wooden steamer ''Mackinaw'' burns in a fire on the Black River. * January 2 ** The steamship ...

, , Incumbent died March 8, 1908.
New member elected November 3, 1908.
Democratic hold.
Successor was also elected the same day to the next term, see below. , nowrap , , - ! , Charles E. Littlefield , , Republican , 1899 , , Incumbent died September 30, 1908.
New member elected November 3, 1908.
Republican hold.
Successor had already been elected to the next term, see below. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Llewellyn Powers Llewellyn Powers (October 14, 1836July 28, 1908) was a U.S. Representative from Maine and the 44th Governor of Maine. Biography Born in Pittsfield, Maine, Powers attended the common schools of Pittsfield and St. Albans Academy. He graduate ...

, , Republican , 1876
1878
1901 , , Incumbent died July 28, 1908.
New member elected November 3, 1908.
Republican hold.
Successor had already been elected to the next term, see below. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Charles T. Dunwell Charles Tappan Dunwell (February 13, 1852 – June 12, 1908) was a U.S. Representative from New York. Born in Newark, New York, Dunwell moved with his parents to nearby Lyons in 1854. He attended the Lyons Union School. He entered Cornell Univ ...

, , Republican , 1902 , , Incumbent died June 12, 1908.
New member elected November 3, 1908.
Republican hold.
Successor was also elected the same day to the next term, see below. , nowrap , , - ! , William H. Parker , , Republican , 1906 , , Incumbent died June 26, 1908.
New member elected November 3, 1908.
Republican hold.
Successor was also elected the same day to the next term, see below. , nowrap ,

Regular election dates

All the states held their regular elections November 3, 1908 except for three, which, held elections: * June 1:

Oregon Oregon () is a U.S. state, state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington (state), Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of it ...

* September 1:

Vermont Vermont () is a state in the northeast New England region of the United States. Vermont is bordered by the states of Massachusetts to the south, New Hampshire to the east, and New York to the west, and the Canadian province of Quebec to ...

* September 14:

Maine Maine () is a state in the New England and Northeastern regions of the United States. It borders New Hampshire to the west, the Gulf of Maine to the southeast, and the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec to the northeast and north ...

Alabama

Alaska Territory

See Non-voting delegates, below.

Arizona Territory

See Non-voting delegates, below.

Arkansas

California

, - ! , William F. Englebright , , Republican , 1906 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Duncan E. McKinlay , , Republican , 1904 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Joseph R. Knowland , , Republican , 1904 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Julius Kahn Julius Kahn may refer to: *Julius Kahn (inventor) (1874–1942), engineer of reinforced concrete *Julius Kahn (congressman) Julius Kahn (February 28, 1861 – December 18, 1924) was a United States Congressman who was succeeded by his wife ...

, , Republican , 1898 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Everis A. Hayes , , Republican , 1904 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

James C. Needham James Carson Needham (September 17, 1864 – July 11, 1942) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a seven-term U.S. Representative from California from 1899 to 1913. Biography Born in a covered wagon at Carson City, Nevada, Ja ...

, , Republican , 1898 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , James McLachlan , , Republican , 1900 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Sylvester C. Smith , , Republican , 1904 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap ,

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

, - ! , Stephen M. Sparkman , , Democratic , 1894 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Frank Clark , , Democratic , 1904 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , William B. Lamar , , Democratic , 1902 , , Incumbent retired to run for U.S. senator.
New member elected.
Democratic hold , nowrap ,

Georgia

Idaho

, - ! ,

Burton L. French Burton Lee French (August 1, 1875 – September 12, 1954) was a congressman from Idaho. French served as a Republican in the House from 1903 to 1909, 1911 to 1915 and 1917 to 1933. With a combined 26 years in office, he remains the longest-s ...

, , Republican , 1902 , , Incumbent lost renomination.
New member elected.
Republican hold. , nowrap ,

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

, - ! , Daniel R. Anthony Jr. , , Republican , 1907 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Charles F. Scott , , Republican , 1900 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Philip P. Campbell , , Republican , 1902 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , James Monroe Miller , , Republican , 1898 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

William A. Calderhead William Alexander Calderhead (September 26, 1844 – December 18, 1928) was a U.S. Representative from Kansas. Biography Born on a farm near New Lexington in Perry County, Ohio, Calderhead received private schooling and also attended the commo ...

, , Republican , 1894
1896
1898 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , William A. Reeder , , Republican , 1898 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Edmond H. Madison , , Republican , 1900 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Victor Murdock Victor Murdock (March 18, 1871 – July 8, 1945) was an American politician and newspaper editor who served as a U.S. Representative from Kansas. Life Victor Murdock was born March 18, 1871, in Burlingame, Kansas to Marshall Murdock, editor of ...

, , Republican , 1902 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap ,

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

, - ! , William H. Jackson , , Republican , 1906 , , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Democratic gain. , nowrap , , - ! ,

J. Frederick C. Talbott Joshua Frederick Cockey Talbott (July 29, 1843 – October 5, 1918) was a U.S. Congressman who represented the second Congressional district of Maryland. Biography He was born near Lutherville, Maryland on July 29, 1843. He began to study law ...

, , Democratic , 1902 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Harry Benjamin Wolf , , Democratic , 1906 , , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Republican gain. , nowrap , , - ! , John Gill Jr. , , Democratic , 1904 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Sydney Emanuel Mudd I , , Republican , 1896 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , George A. Pearre , , Republican , 1898 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap ,

Massachusetts

, - ! , George P. Lawrence , , Republican , 1897 (special) , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Frederick H. Gillett Frederick Huntington Gillett (; October 16, 1851 – July 31, 1935) was an American politician who served in the Massachusetts state government and both houses of the U.S. Congress between 1879 and 1931, including six years as Speaker of the Hous ...

, , Republican ,

1892 Events January–March * January 1 – Ellis Island begins accommodating immigrants to the United States. * February 1 - The historic Enterprise Bar and Grill was established in Rico, Colorado. * February 27 – Rudolf Diesel applies for ...

, Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Charles G. Washburn , , Republican , 1906 (special) , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Charles Q. Tirrell , , Republican , 1900 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Butler Ames Butler Ames (August 22, 1871 – November 6, 1954) was an American politician, engineer, soldier and businessman. He was the son of Adelbert Ames and grandson of Benjamin Franklin Butler, both decorated generals in the Union Army during the Ame ...

, , Republican , 1902 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Augustus Peabody Gardner Augustus Peabody Gardner (November 5, 1865 – January 14, 1918) was an American military officer and Republican Party politician from Massachusetts. He represented the North Shore region in the Massachusetts Senate and United States House of Re ...

, , Republican , 1902 (special) , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Ernest W. Roberts , , Republican , 1898 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Samuel W. McCall Samuel Walker McCall (February 28, 1851 – November 4, 1923) was a Republican lawyer, politician, and writer from Massachusetts. He was for twenty years (1893–1913) a member of the United States House of Representatives, and the 47th Governo ...

, , Republican ,

, Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , John A. Keliher , , Democratic , 1902 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Joseph F. O'Connell Joseph Francis O'Connell (December 7, 1872 – December 10, 1942) was an American lawyer, academic, and politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Boston, Massachusetts from 1907 to 1911. Early life and education Born in Boston, Mas ...

, , Democratic , 1906 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Andrew James Peters Andrew James Peters (April 3, 1872 – June 26, 1938) was an American politician who served in the United States House of Representatives and was the 42nd Mayor of Boston. Early years Peters was born on April 3, 1872, in Jamaica Plain, a neigh ...

, , Democratic , 1906 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

John W. Weeks John Wingate Weeks (April 11, 1860July 12, 1926) was an American banker and politician from Massachusetts. A Republican, he served as Mayor of Newton from 1902 to 1903, a United States representative from 1905 to 1913, United States Senator fr ...

, , Republican , 1904 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

William S. Greene William Stedman Greene (April 28, 1841 – September 22, 1924) was a United States representative from Massachusetts. Biography William S. Greene was born in Tremont, Illinois on April 28, 1841. He moved with his parents to Fall River, Massachu ...

, , Republican , 1898 (special) , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

William C. Lovering William Croad Lovering (February 25, 1835 – February 4, 1910) was a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts. Biography Born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, Lovering moved with his parents to Taunton, Massachusetts, in 1837. He attended the Camb ...

, , Republican , 1896 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap ,

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

, - ! , Ezekiel S. Candler Jr. , , Democratic , 1900 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Thomas Spight Thomas Spight (October 25, 1841 – January 5, 1924) was a U.S. Representative from Mississippi. Born near Ripley, Mississippi, Spight attended the common schools, Ripley Academy, Purdy (Tennessee) College, and the La Grange (Tennessee) Synodi ...

, , Democratic , 1898 (special) , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Benjamin G. Humphreys II Benjamin Grubb Humphreys II (August 17, 1865 – October 16, 1923) was a United States House of Representatives, U.S. Representative from Mississippi. He was known by his constituents as "Our Ben." Early life Benjamin Grubb Humphreys II was bo ...

, , Democratic , 1902 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Wilson S. Hill , , Democratic , 1902 , , Incumbent lost renomination.
New member elected.
Democratic hold. , nowrap , , - ! , Adam M. Byrd , , Democratic , 1902 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Eaton J. Bowers , , Democratic , 1902 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Frank A. McLain , , Democratic , 1898 (special) , , Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic hold. , nowrap , , - ! , John S. Williams , , Democratic ,

, , Incumbent retired to run for U.S. senator.
New member elected.
Democratic hold. , nowrap ,

Missouri

Montana

, - ! ,

Charles N. Pray Charles Nelson Pray (April 6, 1868 – September 12, 1963) was a United States representative from Montana and a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Montana. Education and career Born on April 6, ...

, , Republican , 1906 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap ,

Nebraska

, - ! , Ernest M. Pollard , , Republican , 1905 (special) , , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Democratic gain. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Gilbert Hitchcock Gilbert Monell Hitchcock (September 18, 1859February 3, 1934) was an American congressman and U.S. Senator from Nebraska, and the founder of the ''Omaha World-Herald'' newspaper. Life and career Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Hitchcock was the son ...

, , Democratic , 1906 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , John F. Boyd , , Republican , 1906 , , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Democratic gain. , nowrap , , - ! , Edmund H. Hinshaw , , Republican , 1902 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

George W. Norris George William Norris (July 11, 1861September 2, 1944) was an American politician from the state of Nebraska in the Midwestern United States. He served five terms in the United States House of Representatives as a Republican, from 1903 until 1913 ...

, , Republican , 1902 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Moses Kinkaid , , Republican , 1902 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap ,

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico Territory

See Non-voting delegates, below.

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

, - ! rowspan=2 ,
, Thomas F. Marshall , , Republican , nowrap , 1900 , , Incumbent retired to run for U.S. senator.
New member elected.
Republican hold. , nowrap rowspan=2 , , - ,

Asle Gronna Asle Jorgenson Gronna (December 10, 1858May 4, 1922) was an American politician who served in the House of Representatives and Senate from North Dakota, and one of the six to vote against the United States declaration of war leading to the First ...

, , Republican , nowrap , 1904 , Incumbent re-elected.

Ohio

Oklahoma

, - ! , Bird S. McGuire , , 1907 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Elmer L. Fulton , , 1907 , , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Republican gain. , nowrap , , - ! , James S. Davenport , , 1907 , , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Republican gain. , nowrap , , - ! , Charles D. Carter , , 1907 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Scott Ferris Scott Ferris (November 3, 1877 – June 8, 1945) was a U.S. Representative from Oklahoma. Early life Ferris was born in Neosho, Missouri to Scott and Annie M. Ferris.

, , 1907 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap ,

Oregon

, - ! ,

Willis C. Hawley Willis Chatman Hawley (May 5, 1864 – July 24, 1941) was an American politician and educator in the state of Oregon. A native of the state, he would serve as president of Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, where he earned his undergraduate ...

, , Republican , 1906 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

William R. Ellis William Russell Ellis (April 23, 1850 – January 18, 1915) was an American educator, attorney and politician in the state of Oregon. A native of Indiana, he grew up in Iowa before moving to Oregon where he worked as a school superintendent a ...

, , Republican , 1906 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap ,

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

, - ! ,

George Swinton Legaré George Swinton Legaré (November 11, 1869 – January 31, 1913) was an American attorney and politician from South Carolina. He was best known for his service in the United States House of Representatives from 1903 until his death. Early life ...

, , Democratic , 1902 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , James O'H. Patterson , , Democratic , 1904 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Wyatt Aiken , , Democratic , 1902 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Joseph T. Johnson , , Democratic , 1900 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , David E. Finley , , Democratic , 1898 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

J. Edwin Ellerbe James Edwin Ellerbe (January 12, 1867October 24, 1916) was a U.S. Representative from South Carolina. Born in Sellers, South Carolina, Ellerbe attended Pine Hill Academy and the University of South Carolina at Columbia. He graduated from Wo ...

, , Democratic , 1904 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Asbury F. Lever , , Democratic , 1901 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap ,

South Dakota

, - ! rowspan=2 ,
, Philo Hall , , Republican , 1906 , , Incumbent lost renomination.
New member elected.
Republican hold. , rowspan=2 nowrap , , - , colspan=3 , Vacant (incumbent died June 26, 1908) , , New member elected.
Republican hold.

Tennessee

, - ! ,

Walter P. Brownlow Walter Preston Brownlow (March 27, 1851 – July 8, 1910) was an American politician who represented Tennessee's 1st district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1897 until his death in 1910. He is remembered for obtaining large feder ...

, , Republican , 1896 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! ,

Nathan W. Hale Nathan Wesley Hale (February 11, 1860 – September 16, 1941) was an American politician and a member of the United States House of Representatives for the Tennessee's 2nd congressional district, 2nd congressional district of Tennessee. Biography ...

, , Republican , 1904 , , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Republican hold. , nowrap , , - ! , John A. Moon , , Democratic , 1896 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Cordell Hull , , Democratic , 1906 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee, 1906 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , William C. Houston , , Democratic , 1904 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , John W. Gaines , , Democratic , 1896 , , Incumbent lost renomination.
New member elected.
Democratic hold. , nowrap , , - ! , Lemuel P. Padgett , , Democratic , 1900 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee, 1900 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Thetus W. Sims , , Democratic , 1896 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Finis J. Garrett , , Democratic , 1904 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , George Gordon (Civil War general), George Gordon , , Democratic , 1906 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee, 1906 , Incumbent re-elected. ,

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

, - ! , , , , , , - ! , , , , , , - ! , , , , , , - ! , , , , , , - ! , , , , , , - ! , Carter Glass , , Democratic , 1902 Virginia's 6th congressional district special election, 1902 , Incumbent re-elected. , , - ! , , , , , , - ! , , , , , , - ! , C. Bascom Slemp , , Republican , 1907 Virginia's 9th congressional district special election, 1907 , Incumbent re-elected. , , - ! , , , , ,

Non-voting delegates

, - ! , Thomas Cale , , Independent , 1906 United States House of Representatives elections in Alaska Territory, 1906 , , Incumbent retired.
New delegate elected August 11, 1908.
Democratic gain. , nowrap , , - ! , - ! , William Henry Andrews , , Republican , 1904 United States House of Representatives election in New Mexico Territory, 1904 , Incumbent re-elected November 3, 1908. , nowrap ,

Washington

West Virginia

, - ! , William Pallister Hubbard, William P. Hubbard , , Republican , 1906 United States House of Representatives elections in West Virginia, 1906 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , George Cookman Sturgiss, George C. Sturgiss , , Republican , 1906 United States House of Representatives elections in West Virginia, 1906 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Joseph H. Gaines , , Republican , 1900 United States House of Representatives elections in West Virginia, 1900 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , Harry C. Woodyard , , Republican , 1902 United States House of Representatives elections in West Virginia, 1902 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap , , - ! , James A. Hughes , , Republican , 1900 United States House of Representatives elections in West Virginia, 1900 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap ,

Wisconsin

Wyoming

, - ! , Frank Wheeler Mondell, Frank W. Mondell , , Republican , 1898 United States House of Representatives election in Wyoming, 1898 , Incumbent re-elected. , nowrap ,

Notes

References

Bibliography

* * * * *

External links

Office of the Historian
(Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives) {{United States House of Representatives elections 1908 United States House of Representatives elections,

Election summaries

Special elections

Regular election dates

Alabama

Alaska Territory

Arizona Territory

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico Territory

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Non-voting delegates

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

See also

Notes

References

Bibliography

External links