1872 and 1873 United States House of Representatives elections
Elections to the United States House of Representatives were held in 1872 and 1873 for representatives to the 43rd Congress, coinciding with the re-election of U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant. Grant's Republican Party increased its majority greatly at the expense of the oppositionDemocratic Party. The pro-industry outlook of the Republicans appealed to many Northern voters, especially as the post-war economy exploded, and this allowed the party to flourish as the Industrial Revolution grew more widespread. The Republicans also benefited from a continuing association with Civil War victory as well as disarray amongst Democratic leadership.
Election summaries
Following the 1870 Census, the House was reapportioned, initially adding 40 seats, followed by a subsequent amendment to the apportionment act adding another seat to 9 states, resulting in a total increase of 49 seats. No states lost seats, 10 states had no change, 13 states gained 1 seat each, 9 states gained 2 seats, 3 states gained 3 seats, 1 State gained 4 seats, and 1 State gained 5 seats. Prior to the supplemental act, two states had each lost 1 seat. This was the first reapportionment after the repeal of the three-fifths compromise by the 14th Amendment.
Election dates
In 1845, Congress passed a law providing for a uniform nationwide date for choosing Presidential electors. This law did not affect election dates for Congress, which remained within the jurisdiction of State governments, but over time, the States moved their Congressional elections to this date as well. In 1872–73, there were still 9 states with earlier election dates, and 2 states with later election dates:
A new seat was added, following the 1870 U.S. Census, bringing the delegation up from three to four Representatives.
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Florida gained a second seat after the 1870 census, but delayed districting until 1874, electing both Representatives at-large for this election.
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
In the newly-formed, George A. Sheridan beat P. B. S. Pinchback, the first black Governor of Louisiana. Pinchback challenged the election and it was settled in February 1875, in Sheridan's favor, only one month before the end of the Congress.
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
[|Nebraska]
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
[|Ohio]
After redistricting and eleven retirements, only four of the nineteen incumbents were re-elected.
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wisconsin elected eight members of congress on Election Day, November 5, 1872. Two seats were newly added in reapportionment after the 1870 census.
