1808–09 United States Senate elections
Dates vary by state
12 of the 34 seats in the United States Senate (plus special elections)
18 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Democratic-Republican Federalist
Last election 27 seats 7 seats
Seats before 28 6
Seats won 8 4
Seats after 27 7
Seat change Decrease 1 Increase 1
Seats up 9 3
Results:
     Federalist hold      Federalist gain
     Dem-Republican hold
Majority Party before election


Democratic-Republican

 Elected Majority Party


Democratic-Republican

The 1808–09 United States Senate elections were held on various dates in various states, coinciding with the 1808 presidential election. As these U.S. Senate elections were prior to the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913, senators were chosen by state legislatures. Senators were elected over a wide range of time throughout 1808 and 1809, and a seat may have been filled months late or remained vacant due to legislative deadlock.[1] In these elections, terms were up for the senators in Class 1.

The Federalist Party gained one seat in these elections. The Federalists had gone into the elections with such a small share of Senate seats (6 out of 34, or 18%) that even if they had won every election, they would have still remained a minority caucus.

Results summary

Senate party division, 11th Congress (1809–1811)

  • Majority party: Democratic-Republican (26)
  • Minority party: Federalist (7–8)
  • Other parties: 0
  • Total seats: 34

Change in composition

Before the regular elections

DR7 DR6 DR5 DR4 DR3 DR2 DR1
DR8 DR9 DR10 DR11 DR12 DR13 DR14 DR15 DR16 DR17
Majority → DR18
DR27
Pa.
Retired		 DR26
R.I.
Unknown		 DR25
Vt.
Ran		 DR24
Tenn.
Ran		 DR23
Ohio
Ran		 DR22
N.Y.
Ran		 DR21
N.J.
Ran		 DR20
Md.
Ran		 DR19
DR28
Va.
Retired		 F6
Md.
Ran		 F5
Del.
Ran		 F4
Conn.
Ran		 F3 F2 F1

Result of the regular elections

DR7 DR6 DR5 DR4 DR3 DR2 DR1
DR8 DR9 DR10 DR11 DR12 DR13 DR14 DR15 DR16 DR17
Majority → DR18
V1
Tenn.
D Loss		 DR26
Va.
Hold		 DR25
Pa.
Hold		 DR24
N.Y.
Hold		 DR23
N.J.
Re-elected		 DR22
Vt.
Re-elected		 DR21
Ohio
Re-elected		 DR20
Md.
Re-elected		 DR19
F7
R.I.
Gain		 F6
Md.
Hold		 F5
Del.
Re-elected		 F4
Conn.
Re-elected		 F3 F2 F1
Key:
DR# Democratic-Republican
F# Federalist
V# Vacant

Race summaries

Except if/when noted, the number following candidates is the whole number vote(s), not a percentage.

Special elections during the preceding Congress

In these special elections, the winner was elected during 1808 or before March 4, 1809; ordered by election date.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral
history
Massachusetts
(Class 1)		 John Quincy Adams Federalist 1803 Incumbent resigned June 8, 1808, having broken with his party and lost re-election to the next term.
New senator elected June 9, 1808 having already won election to the next term, see below.
Federalist hold.
Ohio
(Class 1)		 John Smith Democratic-
Republican		 1803 Incumbent resigned April 25, 1808, despite surviving an expulsion trial in the Senate.
New senator elected December 10, 1808.
Democratic-Republican hold.
Successor was also elected the same day to the next term, see below.
Pennsylvania
(Class 1)		 Samuel Maclay Democratic-
Republican		 1802 Incumbent resigned before the December 1808 general election (but effective January 4, 1809), believing he would lose re-election.
New senator elected January 9, 1809.
Democratic-Republican hold.
Incumbent's belief was justified as the successor was elected to the next term, see below.

Races leading to the next Congress

In these regular elections, the winner was seated on March 4, 1809; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 1 seats.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral
history
Connecticut James Hillhouse Federalist 1796
1797
1803		 Incumbent re-elected in 1809.
Delaware Samuel White Federalist 1801 (Appointed)
1803		 Incumbent re-elected January 11, 1809.
Maryland Samuel Smith Democratic-
Republican		 1802 Incumbent re-elected November 14, 1809.
Massachusetts John Quincy Adams Federalist 1803 Incumbent lost re-election as a Democratic-Republican.
New senator elected June 2, 1808.
Federalist hold.
Incumbent resigned and winner was elected to finish the current term.
New Jersey John Condit Democratic-
Republican		 1803 (Appointed)
1803 (special)		 Incumbent lost renomination.[8]
New senator elected November 3, 1808 on the second ballot.[8]
Democratic-Republican hold.
New York Samuel L. Mitchill Democratic-
Republican		 1804 (special) Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected February 7, 1809.
Democratic-Republican hold.
Ohio Return Meigs Democratic-
Republican		 1808 (special) Incumbent elected December 10, 1808.
Pennsylvania Samuel Maclay Democratic-
Republican		 1808 (special) Incumbent retired.
New senator elected December 13, 1808 and subsequently elected to finish the remaining term.
Democratic-Republican hold.
Rhode Island Benjamin Howland Democratic-
Republican		 1804 (special) Unknown if incumbent retired or lost re-election.
New senator elected November 5, 1808.
Federalist gain.
Tennessee Joseph Anderson Democratic-
Republican		 1797 (special)
1799 (Resigned)
1799 (special)
1803		 Legislature failed to elect.
Democratic-Republican loss.
Incumbent was appointed to begin the term and was later elected to finish the term.		 Election was late, see above
Vermont Jonathan Robinson Democratic-
Republican		 1807 (special) Incumbent re-elected in 1808.
Virginia Andrew Moore Democratic-
Republican		 1804 (Appointed)
1804 (Resigned)
1804 (special)		 Incumbent retired.[13]
New senator elected in 1809.
Democratic-Republican hold.

Special elections during the next Congress

In this special election, the winner was elected in 1809 after March 4; ordered by election date.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral
history
Tennessee
(Class 1)		 Joseph Anderson Democratic-
Republican		 1797 (special)
1799 (Resigned)
1799 (special)
1803
1809 (Appointed)		 Interim appointee elected April 11, 1809.
Tennessee
(Class 2)		 Daniel Smith Democratic-
Republican		 1798 (special)
1799 (Resigned)
1803		 Incumbent resigned March 31, 1809.
New senator elected April 11, 1809.
Democratic-Republican hold.
Winner was subsequently re-elected early to the following Congress, see below.
Rhode Island
(Class 1)		 Francis Malbone Federalist 1808 Newly seated incumbent died.
New senator elected June 26, 1809.
Federalist hold.
Ohio
(Class 3)		 Stanley Griswold Democratic-
Republican		 1809 (Appointed) Incumbent appointee retired.
New senator elected December 12, 1809.
Democratic-Republican hold.
Georgia
(Class 3)		 John Milledge Democratic-
Republican		 1806 (special)
1806		 Incumbent resigned November 14, 1809.
New senator elected November 27, 1809 on the third ballot.
Democratic-Republican hold.
New Jersey
(Class 2)		 John Condit Democratic-
Republican		 1803 (Appointed)
1803 (special)
1809 (Lost)
1809 (Appointed)		 Incumbent appointee elected November 2, 1809.

Early race leading to the Congress-after-next

In this regular election, the winner was seated on March 4, 1811; ordered by state.

This election involved a Class 2 seat.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral
history
Tennessee Jenkin Whiteside Democratic-
Republican		 1809 (special) Incumbent re-elected early October 28, 1809.

Connecticut

Delaware

Georgia (special)

Maryland

1808 United States Senate special election in Maryland
November 1808
80 members of the Maryland General Assembly
 
Candidate Samuel Smith John Eager Howard
Party Democratic-Republican Federalist
Legislative vote 53 29
Percentage 60.92% 33.33%

Samuel Smith was appointed to the seat as opposed to a re-election, due to the State House and State Senate unable to come to an agreement on how to elect a Senator.

Samuel Smith then won re-election over John Eager Howard by a margin of 27.59%, or 24 votes, for the Class 1 seat.[21]

Massachusetts

Massachusetts (regular)

June 1808 Senate election[22]
Party Candidate Votes %
Federalist James Lloyd Jr. 248 53.68%
Federalist John Quincy Adams 213 46.10%
Federalist Laban Wheaton 1 0.22%
Total votes 462 100.00%

Massachusetts (special)

New Jersey

New Jersey (regular)

New Jersey (special)

New York

Ohio

Ohio (specials)

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania (regular)

Pennsylvania (special)

Rhode Island

Rhode Island (regular)

Rhode Island (special)

Tennessee

Class 1

Joseph Anderson, a Democratic-Republican, held a prominent position in Class 1 of the United States Senate, serving intermittently in both the mentioned Senate seat and the other throughout a substantial period, commencing in 1797. His presence in the Senate reflected his notable political influence and the confidence reposed in him by the electorate. Anderson's periodic service underscored the dynamic nature of early American politics, where individuals frequently transitioned between public service and other pursuits. His extended tenure afforded him the opportunity to contribute to various legislative discussions and debates, leaving a lasting impact on the political landscape during a pivotal era in the nation's history.

Tennessee (regular, class 1)

Senator Joseph Anderson

The Tennessee state legislature encountered a challenge in electing a new senator, resulting in a temporary vacancy in the representation. The seat faced the prospect of becoming officially vacant at the commencement of the term on March 4, 1809. However, in response to the legislative deadlock, the Governor of Tennessee, Willie Blount, took a proactive step and appointed Joseph Anderson to initiate the term on an interim basis. This appointment served as a temporary measure, bridging the gap until a special election could be conducted to fill the senatorial position in accordance with the democratic process.

Tennessee (special, class 1)

Joseph Anderson secured election on April 11, 1809, thereby formalizing his position to complete the senatorial term. This electoral outcome marked the resolution of the previous legislative challenges, as Anderson garnered the necessary support to officially fill the Senate seat.

Class 2

Democratic-Republican Daniel Smith entered the political arena with his initial election in 1803, marking the commencement of his service in public office. His affiliation with the Democratic-Republican party underlines the prevailing political dynamics of the time, as the United States navigated through the early years of the 19th century.

Tennessee (special, class 2)

Smith resigned March 31, 1809.

Democratic-Republican Jenkin Whiteside was elected April 11, 1809 to finish Smith's term, which would end 1809.

Tennessee (regular, class 2)

Whiteside was re-elected early October 28, 1809, unopposed.[20]

Vermont

Virginia

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ "17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Direct Election of U.S. Senators (1913)". National Archives and Records Administration. February 8, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Massachusetts 1808 U.S. Senate, Special". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved February 18, 2018., citing The Freeman's Journal and Philadelphia Mercantile Advertiser (Philadelphia, PA). June 13, 1808.
  3. 1 2 Taylor, William A. (1900). Ohio in Congress from 1803 to 1901. Columbus, Ohio: Century Publishing Co. p. 97 – via Internet Archive.
  4. ↑ "Pennsylvania 1809 U.S. Senate, Special". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved February 3, 2018., citing Journal of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 1808. 174-176.
  5. ↑ "Delaware 1809 U.S. Senate". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved February 18, 2018., citing United States' Gazette (Philadelphia, PA). January 14, 1809.
  6. ↑ "Maryland 1809 U.S. Senate". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved February 18, 2018., citing The Hornet (Fredericktown, Md.). November 29, 1809.
  7. ↑ "Massachusetts 1808 U.S. Senate". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved February 3, 2018., citing The Pittsfield Sun (Pittsfield, MA). June 11, 1808.
  8. 1 2 3 "New Jersey 1808 U.S. Senate, Ballot 2". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved February 6, 2018., citing The True American and Commercial Advertiser (Philadelphia, PA). November 9, 1808.
  9. ↑ "NY US Senate". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
  10. ↑ "U.S. Senate Election - 13 December 1808" (PDF). Wilkes University. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Rhode Island 1808 U.S. Senate". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved February 18, 2018., citing United States' Gazette (Philadelphia, PA). January 14, 1809.
  12. ↑ "Vermont 1808 U.S. Senate". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved February 18, 2018., citing Weekly Wanderer (Randolph, VT). November 7, 1808.
  13. 1 2 "Virginia 1809 U.S. Senate". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved February 18, 2018., citing United States' Gazette (Philadelphia, PA). January 16, 1809.
  14. ↑ "Tennessee 1809 U.S. Senate, Special". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Tennessee 1809 U.S. Senate, Special". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved January 30, 2018., citing The Minerva (Raleigh, NC). May 4, 1809. The Star (Raleigh, NC). May 4, 1809. National Intelligencer and Washington Advertiser (Washington, DC). May 5, 1809. The True American and Commercial Advertiser (Philadelphia, PA). May 10, 1809. Norwich Courier (Norwich, CT). May 17, 1809. White, Robert Hiram. Messages of the Governors of Tennessee, 1796-1821. Vol. 1. Nashville: The Tennessee Historical Commission, 1952.
  16. ↑ "Rhode Island 1809 U.S. Senate, Special". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved February 19, 2018., citing Newport Mercury (Newport, RI). July 1, 1809.
  17. ↑ Taylor, William A. (1900). Ohio in Congress from 1803 to 1901. Columbus, Ohio: Century Publishing Co. pp. 97–98 – via Internet Archive.
  18. ↑ "Georgia 1809 U.S. Senate, Special". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved February 18, 2018., citing The Republican and Savannah Evening Ledger (Savannah, GA). December 5, 1809.
  19. ↑ "New Jersey 1809 U.S. Senate, Special". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved February 18, 2018., citing New Jersey Privy Council Records, 1809. 176.
  20. 1 2 "Tennessee 1809 U.S. Senate". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved January 29, 2018., citing Journal of the Tennessee House of Representatives, 1809. 115.
  21. ↑ "Our Campaigns - MD US Senate Race - Nov 14, 1809". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
  22. ↑ "Massachusetts 1808 U.S. Senate". Tufts Digital Collations and Archives. A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787–1825. Tufts University. Retrieved February 3, 2018., citing The Pittsfield Sun (Pittsfield, MA). June 11, 1808.
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