1916 United States House of Representatives elections


Elections to the United States House of Representatives in 1916 were held for members of the 65th Congress, coinciding with the re-election of President Woodrow Wilson.
Wilson eked out a narrow re-election, but his Democratic Party lost seats to the Republican Party. Wilson's hybrid approach, which injected a progressive element into Democratic policies, had proved to be dissatisfying to much of the nation. International affairs also became important in the traditionally non-interventionist United States, as voters attempted to determine which party would be best served to keep the nation from entering The Great War.
Republicans actually won a plurality of seats in the 1916 election. Even so, when the 65th Congress convened in April 1917, the Democrats narrowly maintained control of the House, forming an alliance with third-party members. Not since the 34th Congress had the party with the most seats not been part of the ruling government. This Congress is the last example to date of a type of coalition holding power in the House, rather than a single party winning a majority of seats.
Jeannette Rankin, a Republican from Montana, became the first woman ever elected to congress.

Special elections

There were special elections in 1916 to the 64th United States Congress.
Special elections are sorted by date then district.

Election summaries

The Democrats retained control of the House by forming a coalition with the three Progressive members and the single Socialist member, combining to form a razor-thin majority of 218 Representatives.

Early election date

held its election early, on September 11, 1916. There had previously been multiple states with earlier elections, but between 1914 and 1958, Maine was alone in holding early elections.

California

Kansas

Maryland

DistrictIncumbentPartyFirst
elected		ResultCandidates
Jesse PriceDemocratic1914Incumbent re-elected.
J. Frederick C. TalbottDemocratic1902Incumbent re-elected.
Charles Pearce CoadyDemocratic1913 Incumbent re-elected.
John Charles LinthicumDemocratic1910Incumbent re-elected.
Sydney Emanuel Mudd IIRepublican1914Incumbent re-elected.
David John LewisDemocratic1910Incumbent retired to run for U.S. Senator.
New member elected.
Republican gain.

Montana

This was the last time Montana used an at-large district until its representation was reduced to one in 1992. This was also the first time a woman was elected to Congress.

North Dakota

South Carolina

South Dakota

Non-voting delegates

Alaska Territory

Wickersham would later successfully contest the election and was seated January 7, 1919.