What was the primary purpose of the 1946 United States House of Representatives elections?

The 1946 United States House of Representatives elections were held to elect members who would serve in the 80th United States Congress. These elections are a regular part of the American political system, occurring every two years to fill all 435 seats in the House.

When did the 1946 House of Representatives elections primarily take place, and were there any exceptions?

The elections were held for the most part on November 5, 1946. However, Maine held its elections earlier, on September 9 of the same year.

What was the political landscape of the House of Representatives before the 1946 elections?

Before the 1946 elections, the Democratic Party had controlled the House of Representatives for 16 consecutive years, since 1931. This period coincided with much of Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency.

How many seats were contested in the 1946 House elections, and what was required for a majority?

All 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives were contested. A party needed to secure 218 seats to achieve a majority in the House.

Who were the leaders of the majority and minority parties in the House before the 1946 elections, and what were their respective districts?

Before the elections, Joseph Martin, a Republican from Massachusetts's 14th congressional district, was the leader of the minority party, having served in that role since January 3, 1939. Sam Rayburn, a Democrat from Texas's 4th congressional district, was the Speaker of the House and leader of the majority party, a position he held since September 16, 1940.

What was the outcome of the 1946 elections in terms of party control of the House?

The 1946 elections resulted in a significant shift of power, with Republicans picking up 55 seats to gain majority control of the House. This marked the end of 16 years of Democratic control.

Who became the new Speaker of the House after the 1946 elections, and who became the Minority Leader?

Following the Republican victory, Joseph Martin, a Republican from Massachusetts, became the new Speaker of the House. Sam Rayburn, the former Democratic Speaker from Texas, transitioned to the role of Minority Leader.

What was the historical significance of the Democratic defeat in the 1946 House elections?

The Democratic defeat in 1946 was the largest loss for the party since the 1928 pro-Republican wave, which saw Herbert Hoover come to power. This election also coincided with the Democratic loss of the Senate in concurrent elections, indicating a broader shift in political sentiment.

What was President Harry S. Truman's political standing at the time of the 1946 elections?

The elections occurred 19 months after Harry S. Truman assumed the presidency following Franklin D. Roosevelt's death. Truman did not command the same level of public support as his predecessor, and his approval rating had fallen to 32 percent, making the election largely a referendum on his administration.

What were the primary reasons cited for President Truman's low approval rating and the Democratic defeat in 1946?

President Truman's low approval rating and the Democratic defeat were largely attributed to his controversial handling of a wave of post-war labor strikes, including those by the United Auto Workers against Ford and General Motors in 1945, a United Mine Workers strike in April 1946, and a national railroad worker strike in May. Additionally, public dissatisfaction arose from the debate over ending wartime price controls, which were unpopular with businesses and contributed to shortages of goods like meat.

What humorous remarks were made about President Truman's leadership during this period?

During this challenging period, Republicans humorously questioned Truman's leadership by asking, 'What would Roosevelt do if he were alive?' and even quipped, 'What would Truman do if he were alive?' and 'To err is Truman.' These jokes highlighted the public's perception of his struggles compared to his highly regarded predecessor.

What was the long-term impact of the Republican majority gained in the 1946 House elections?

Despite the significant Republican gains, their majority in the House was short-lived, as the Democratic Party regained control just two years later. The Republican Party would not retake the House again for 48 years, until the 1994 'Republican Revolution' against President Bill Clinton.

What was the total popular vote and vote percentage for the Republican Party in the 1946 House elections?

The Republican Party secured a total of 18,422,363 popular votes, which accounted for 53.5% of the total vote in the 1946 House elections.

What was the total popular vote and vote percentage for the Democratic Party in the 1946 House elections?

The Democratic Party received 15,491,113 popular votes, representing 45.0% of the total vote in the 1946 House elections.

How many seats did the Republican Party win in the 1946 House elections, and what was their seat percentage?

The Republican Party won 246 seats, achieving a seat percentage of 56.5% in the 1946 House elections, thus securing a majority.

How many seats did the Democratic Party win in the 1946 House elections, and what was their seat percentage?

The Democratic Party won 188 seats, resulting in a seat percentage of 43.2% in the 1946 House elections.

Which third parties participated in the 1946 House elections, and how many seats did they win?

The American Labor Party won 1 seat. Other third parties, including the Progressive Party, Independent, Liberal Party, Prohibition Party, Socialist Party, J. Veterans Party, U. Citizens Party, Communist Party, Independent Voters Party, Veterans' Victory Party, Socialist Workers Party, Justice, Decency, Independence Party, Socialist Labor Party, Constitutional Government Party, No Foreign Loans Party, Workers Party, and Progressive Democratic Party, all received votes but did not win any seats.

What was the seat change for the Republican and Democratic parties in the 1946 elections compared to the previous election?

The Republican Party saw an increase of 55 seats, while the Democratic Party experienced a decrease of 54 seats. This significant shift contributed to the Republican takeover of the House.

Describe the outcome of the special election in Oregon's 1st congressional district in 1946.

In Oregon's 1st congressional district, the incumbent, James W. Mott (Republican), died on November 12, 1945. A special election was held on January 18, 1946, which resulted in A. Walter Norblad (Republican) being elected with 67.28% of the vote, thus maintaining the Republican hold on the seat. Norblad was later re-elected for the next term.

What was the result of the special election in Pennsylvania's 23rd congressional district in 1946?

The incumbent for Pennsylvania's 23rd congressional district, J. Buell Snyder (Democratic), died on February 24, 1946. A special election was held on May 21, 1946, leading to Carl Henry Hoffman (Republican) winning the seat with 52.6% of the vote, marking a Republican gain. Hoffman did not run for the subsequent term.

Who won the special election in New York's 19th congressional district in 1946, and what was the outcome for the party?

Following the resignation of incumbent Samuel Dickstein (Democratic) on December 30, 1945, Arthur G. Klein (Democratic) was elected in a special election on February 19, 1946, with 49.5% of the vote, securing a Democratic hold. Klein was later re-elected for the next term.

Which party gained a seat in Nevada's at-large congressional district during the 1946 elections?

In Nevada's at-large congressional district, the incumbent Berkeley L. Bunker (Democratic) retired to run for U.S. Senator. Charles H. Russell (Republican) won the election with 58.8% of the vote, resulting in a Republican gain for the district.

What was the outcome for the Democratic incumbent in Alabama's 4th congressional district in 1946?

Sam Hobbs, the Democratic incumbent for Alabama's 4th congressional district, was re-elected in 1946 with 88.1% of the vote, facing a Republican challenger, Roger S. Bingham. This was a straightforward re-election for the incumbent.

Which party gained control of California's 7th congressional district in the 1946 elections?

In California's 7th congressional district, the Democratic incumbent John H. Tolan retired. The seat was subsequently gained by the Republican Party, with John J. Allen Jr. winning with 56.2% of the vote. This marked a shift in party control for the district.

Who was the Republican candidate who gained California's 12th congressional district in 1946, defeating the incumbent Democrat?

Richard Nixon, a Republican, gained California's 12th congressional district in 1946, defeating the Democratic incumbent Jerry Voorhis with 56.0% of the vote. This was a notable Republican gain and an early career victory for Nixon.

What was the result in Colorado's 1st congressional district in 1946, and which party gained the seat?

In Colorado's 1st congressional district, the Republican incumbent Dean M. Gillespie lost his re-election bid. John A. Carroll, a Democrat, won the seat with 51.8% of the vote, marking a Democratic gain for the district.

How did the 1946 elections affect Democratic representation in Connecticut, specifically in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd districts?

The 1946 elections saw significant Republican gains in Connecticut. Democratic incumbents Herman P. Kopplemann (1st district), Chase G. Woodhouse (2nd district), and James P. Geelan (3rd district) all lost their re-election bids, resulting in Republican gains for all three districts.

Who won the at-large congressional district in Delaware in 1946, and what was the party change?

J. Caleb Boggs, a Republican, won Delaware's at-large congressional district with 56.4% of the vote, defeating the Democratic incumbent Philip A. Traynor. This constituted a Republican gain for the state's sole congressional seat.

In Florida's 4th congressional district, what was the outcome for the incumbent, and who won the seat?

In Florida's 4th congressional district, the Democratic incumbent Pat Cannon lost his renomination. The seat remained a Democratic hold, with George Smathers winning the general election with 71.9% of the vote. This indicates a change in representation but not party control.

Who was the Democratic candidate who won Georgia's 5th congressional district in 1946 after the incumbent lost renomination?

After Helen Douglas Mankin, the incumbent Democrat for Georgia's 5th congressional district, lost renomination and then ran as an Independent, James C. Davis (Democratic) won the seat with 61.7% of the vote, maintaining a Democratic hold. This illustrates a primary challenge leading to a new Democratic representative.

Which party gained Idaho's 1st congressional district in the 1946 elections?

In Idaho's 1st congressional district, the Democratic incumbent Compton I. White lost his re-election. Abe Goff, a Republican, won the seat with 50.6% of the vote, marking a Republican gain.

What was the result for the at-large congressional district in Illinois, and who was the Democratic incumbent who lost re-election?

In Illinois's at-large congressional district, the Democratic incumbent Emily Taft Douglas lost her re-election bid. William Stratton, a Republican, won the seat with 55.1% of the vote, resulting in a Republican gain.

Who was the Democratic incumbent in Indiana's 1st congressional district who was re-elected in 1946?

Ray Madden, the Democratic incumbent for Indiana's 1st congressional district, was re-elected in 1946 with 51.9% of the vote, defeating his Republican challenger Charles W. Gannon. He also faced Prohibition and Socialist Labor candidates.

Which Republican incumbent in Iowa's 1st congressional district was re-elected with a significant majority in 1946?

Thomas E. Martin, the Republican incumbent for Iowa's 1st congressional district, was re-elected in 1946 with 61.5% of the vote, defeating Democratic challenger Clair A. Williams. This demonstrates strong Republican support in the district.

Who won Kentucky's 3rd congressional district in 1946, and what was the party change?

In Kentucky's 3rd congressional district, the Democratic incumbent Emmet O'Neal lost his re-election. Thruston Ballard Morton, a Republican, won the seat with 58.1% of the vote, marking a Republican gain.

Which Democratic incumbent in Louisiana's 1st congressional district was re-elected with a large margin in 1946?

F. Edward Hébert, the Democratic incumbent for Louisiana's 1st congressional district, was re-elected in 1946 with 91.8% of the vote, defeating Republican challenger Dennison Suarez. This indicates overwhelming support for the incumbent.

Who was the Republican incumbent in Maine's 2nd congressional district who was re-elected in 1946?

Margaret Chase Smith, the Republican incumbent for Maine's 2nd congressional district, was re-elected in 1946 with 60.7% of the vote, defeating Democratic challenger Edward J. Beauchamp. She was a prominent female politician of her era.

What was the outcome in Maryland's 1st congressional district in 1946, and which party gained the seat?

In Maryland's 1st congressional district, the Democratic incumbent Dudley Roe lost his re-election. Edward T. Miller, a Republican, won the seat with 50.9% of the vote, resulting in a Republican gain.

Who was the notable Democratic candidate elected in Massachusetts's 11th congressional district in 1946?

John F. Kennedy, a Democrat, was elected in Massachusetts's 11th congressional district in 1946 with 71.9% of the vote. The incumbent, James Michael Curley, had retired to become Mayor of Boston, making this a Democratic hold with a new representative.

Which Republican incumbent in Michigan's 2nd congressional district was re-elected with a significant majority in 1946?

Earl C. Michener, the Republican incumbent for Michigan's 2nd congressional district, was re-elected in 1946 with 71.2% of the vote, defeating Democratic challenger William R. Kelley. He also faced Prohibition and Communist candidates.

What was the result in Minnesota's 8th congressional district, and which party gained the seat?

In Minnesota's 8th congressional district, the Republican incumbent William Alvin Pittenger lost his re-election. John Blatnik, representing the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) party, won the seat with 57.7% of the vote, marking a Democratic (DFL) gain.

Who was the Republican incumbent in Nebraska's 1st congressional district who was re-elected in 1946?

Carl Curtis, the Republican incumbent for Nebraska's 1st congressional district, was re-elected in 1946 with 66.4% of the vote, defeating Democratic challenger William H. Meier. This was a strong showing for the incumbent.

Which Republican incumbent in New Jersey's 1st congressional district was re-elected in 1946?

Charles A. Wolverton, the Republican incumbent for New Jersey's 1st congressional district, was re-elected in 1946 with 63.5% of the vote, defeating Democratic challenger George F. Neutze.

Who was the Democratic incumbent in New Mexico's at-large congressional district who was re-elected in 1946?

Antonio M. Fernández, the Democratic incumbent for New Mexico's at-large congressional district, was re-elected in 1946 with 26.0% of the vote. New Mexico elected two at-large representatives, and Georgia Lee Lusk (Democratic) was also elected, maintaining Democratic control of both seats.

Which party gained New York's 4th congressional district in 1946, following the death of the incumbent?

Following the death of Democratic incumbent William Bernard Barry on October 20, 1946, Gregory McMahon, a Republican, won New York's 4th congressional district with 53.3% of the vote, resulting in a Republican gain. This was a special election held concurrently with the general election.

Who was the American Labor Party incumbent in New York's 18th congressional district who was re-elected in 1946?

Vito Marcantonio, the American Labor Party incumbent for New York's 18th congressional district, was re-elected in 1946 with 54.2% of the vote, defeating Republican challenger Frederick van Pelt Bryan. He was a notable figure for winning under a third-party banner.

What was the outcome in Ohio's 3rd congressional district, and which party gained the seat?

In Ohio's 3rd congressional district, the Democratic incumbent Edward J. Gardner lost his re-election. Raymond H. Burke, a Republican, won the seat with 52.0% of the vote, marking a Republican gain.

Which Republican incumbent in Oklahoma's 1st congressional district was re-elected in 1946?

George B. Schwabe, the Republican incumbent for Oklahoma's 1st congressional district, was re-elected in 1946 with 54.5% of the vote, defeating Democratic challenger Oras A. Shaw.

Who won Pennsylvania's 1st congressional district in 1946, and what was the party change?

In Pennsylvania's 1st congressional district, the Democratic incumbent William A. Barrett lost his re-election. James A. Gallagher, a Republican, won the seat with 57.3% of the vote, resulting in a Republican gain.

Which Republican incumbent in South Dakota's 1st congressional district was re-elected in 1946?

Karl Mundt, the Republican incumbent for South Dakota's 1st congressional district, was re-elected in 1946 with 61.5% of the vote, defeating Democratic challenger Merton B. Tice.

Who was the Republican incumbent in Tennessee's 1st congressional district who retired in 1946, and what was the outcome for the party?

B. Carroll Reece, the Republican incumbent for Tennessee's 1st congressional district, retired in 1946. The seat remained a Republican hold, with Dayton E. Phillips winning the election uncontested. This indicates strong Republican dominance in the district.

1946 United States House Of Representatives Elections Wiki: The Great Shift: America's 1946 Midterm Revolution

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Election Overview

A Post-War Political Turning Point

The 1946 United States House of Representatives elections were held primarily on November 5, 1946, with Maine conducting its elections earlier on September 9. These elections were crucial for determining the composition of the 80th United States Congress. They occurred approximately 19 months after President Harry S. Truman assumed office following the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, marking a significant moment in the post-World War II political landscape.

The End of Democratic Dominance

For 16 consecutive years, since 1931, the Democratic Party had maintained control of the House of Representatives, a period largely coinciding with Franklin D. Roosevelt's unprecedented four terms in the presidency. However, President Truman did not inherit the same level of widespread public support as his predecessor. The 1946 elections dramatically altered this political dynamic, leading to a substantial shift in power.

Republican Resurgence

The election results saw the Republican Party achieve a significant victory, picking up 55 seats and consequently gaining majority control of the House. This outcome led to Joseph Martin, a Republican from Massachusetts, becoming the new Speaker of the House, effectively exchanging roles with Sam Rayburn, a Democrat from Texas, who transitioned to the position of Minority Leader. This defeat represented the largest setback for the Democratic Party in the House since the pro-Republican wave of 1928, which had brought Herbert Hoover to power. Concurrently, the Republican Party also secured control of the United States Senate in the parallel elections.

Political Climate & Context

Truman's Approval and Public Sentiment

The 1946 election was widely interpreted as a referendum on President Truman's nascent administration. His approval rating had plummeted to 32 percent, reflecting widespread public dissatisfaction. This decline was largely attributed to his handling of several critical post-war domestic issues that directly impacted the daily lives of Americans.

Post-War Labor Unrest

A significant factor contributing to public discontent was a wave of major labor strikes that swept across the nation in the immediate post-war period. These included a prolonged United Auto Workers strike against industrial giants like Ford and General Motors in 1945, a substantial United Mine Workers strike that commenced in April 1946, and a national railroad worker strike that began in May. President Truman's interventions and perceived handling of these disputes were met with considerable criticism.

Price Controls and Shortages

Further exacerbating the administration's challenges was the contentious debate surrounding the termination of wartime price controls. While these controls were unpopular with the American business community, their removal led to significant shortages, particularly in essential foodstuffs such as meat. This economic instability and the resulting public frustration added to the political vulnerability of the Democratic Party.

Political Satire and Lasting Impact

The political climate was so charged that Republican strategists and commentators began to employ satirical remarks, such as "What would Truman do if he were alive?" and the memorable quip, "To err is Truman." Despite the significant Republican gains, this majority proved to be short-lived, as the Democrats regained control of the House just two years later in the 1948 elections. Interestingly, it would take the Republican Party another 48 years, until the "Republican Revolution" of 1994 against President Bill Clinton (who was born in 1946), to once again secure a House majority.

Overall Election Results

Congressional Composition

The 1946 elections dramatically reshaped the United States House of Representatives, shifting power from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. The table below provides a comprehensive overview of the total seats won, changes from the previous election, and the popular vote distribution across the major and minor parties.

Party		Total Seats	Change	Seat Percentage	Popular Vote	Vote Percentage
	Republican Party	246	▲ 55	56.5%	18,422,363	53.5%
	Democratic Party	188	▼ 54	43.2%	15,491,113	45.0%
	American Labor Party	1	━	0.2%	196,866	0.6%
	Independent	0	━	0.0%	77,425	0.2%
	Liberal Party	0	━	0.0%	61,111	0.2%
	Prohibition Party	0	━	0.0%	47,792	0.1%
	Socialist Party	0	━	0.0%	38,307	0.1%
	J. Veterans Party	0	━	0.0%	9,791	<0.1%
	U. Citizens Party	0	━	0.0%	5,688	<0.1%
	Communist Party	0	━	0.0%	3,408	<0.1%
	Independent Voters Party	0	━	0.0%	2,834	<0.1%
	Veterans' Victory Party	0	━	0.0%	2,208	<0.1%
	Socialist Workers Party	0	━	0.0%	1,936	<0.1%
	Justice, Decency, Independence Party	0	━	0.0%	1,865	<0.1%
	Socialist Labor Party	0	━	0.0%	980	<0.1%
	Constitutional Government Party	0	━	0.0%	890	<0.1%
	No Foreign Loans Party	0	━	0.0%	396	<0.1%
	Workers Party	0	━	0.0%	165	<0.1%
	Progressive Democratic Party	0	━	0.0%	141	<0.1%
	$250 State Bonds Party	0	━	0.0%	115	<0.1%
	Others	0	▼ 1	0.0%	44,930	0.1%
Totals		435	━	100.0%	34,410,324	100.0%

Popular Vote Distribution

The popular vote mirrored the shift in seat allocation, with the Republican Party securing a clear majority of the votes cast. This indicates a broad-based public sentiment favoring the Republican platform in the immediate post-war period.

Popular Vote
Republican		53.54%
Democratic		45.02%
American Labor		0.57%
Others		0.87%

House Seat Distribution

The distribution of seats in the House of Representatives directly reflected the popular vote, solidifying the Republican Party's control over the legislative agenda for the upcoming 80th Congress.

House Seats
Republican		56.55%
Democratic		43.22%
American Labor		0.23%

Special Elections

Mid-Term Vacancies and Replacements

Several special elections were held throughout 1946 to fill vacancies in the House of Representatives, with the winners taking their seats either during 1946 or before January 3, 1947. These elections often occurred due to the death or resignation of incumbent members, reflecting the dynamic nature of political service.

District	Incumbent			Results	Candidates
District	Incumbent	Party	First Elected	Results	Candidates
Oregon 1	James W. Mott	Republican	1932	Incumbent died November 12, 1945. New member elected January 18, 1946. Republican hold. Winner later re-elected to the next term.	■✔ A. Walter Norblad (Republican) 67.28% ■Bruce Spalding (Democratic) 32.72%
North Carolina 10	Joseph Wilson Ervin	Democratic	1944	Incumbent died December 25, 1945. New member elected January 22, 1946. Democratic hold. Winner later re-elected to the next term.	■✔ Sam Ervin (Democratic) 99.3% ■Scattering (Write-in) 0.7%
Virginia 6	Clifton A. Woodrum	Democratic	1922	Incumbent resigned December 31, 1945, to become president of the American Plant Food Council. New member elected January 22, 1946. Democratic hold.	■✔ J. Lindsay Almond (Democratic) 62.9% ■George A. Revercomb (Republican) 36.6% ■J. B. Brayman (Socialist) 0.5%
Georgia 5	Robert Ramspeck	Democratic	1929 (special)	Incumbent resigned December 31, 1945. New member elected February 12, 1946. Democratic hold. Winner later lost renomination to the next term.	■✔ Helen Douglas Mankin (Democratic) 36.5% ■Thomas L. Camp (Democratic) 33.9% ■Ben T. Hulet (Democratic) 9.0% ■J. E. Stewart (Democratic) 7.8% ■J. Verlyn Booth (Democratic) 3.5% ■Joe Allen (Democratic) 2.8% Others (Democratic & Scattering) 4.9%
New York 19	Samuel Dickstein	Democratic	1922	Incumbent resigned December 30, 1945. New member elected February 19, 1946. Democratic hold. Winner later re-elected to the next term.	■✔ Arthur G. Klein (Democratic) 49.5% ■Johannes Steel (American Labor) 38.2% ■William S. Shea (Republican) 12.3%
Pennsylvania 23	J. Buell Snyder	Democratic	1932	Incumbent died February 24, 1946. New member elected May 21, 1946. Republican gain. Winner did not run for the next term.	■✔ Carl Henry Hoffman (Republican) 52.6% ■Marian Snyder (Democratic) 47.4%
Pennsylvania 33	Samuel A. Weiss	Democratic	1940	Incumbent resigned January 7, 1946 to become judge. New member elected May 21, 1946. Democratic hold. Winner later re-elected to the next term.	■✔ Frank Buchanan (Democratic) 59.5% John R. Brown 40.5%
North Carolina 8	William O. Burgin	Democratic	1938	Incumbent died April 11, 1946. New member elected May 25, 1946. Democratic hold. Winner did not run for the next term.	■✔ Eliza Jane Pratt (Democratic) 79.5% ■H. Frank Hulin (Republican) 20.5%
Texas 6	Luther Alexander Johnson	Democratic	1922	Incumbent resigned July 17, 1946, after becoming judge of the U.S. Tax Court. New member elected August 24, 1946. Democratic hold. Winner later re-elected to the next term.	■✔ Olin E. Teague (Democratic) 100%
Puerto Rico at-large	Jesús T. Piñero	Popular Democratic	1944	Incumbent resigned September 2, 1946 to become Governor of Puerto Rico. New member elected September 11, 1946. Popular Democratic hold. Winner later re-elected to the next term.	■✔ Antonio Fernós Isern (Popular Democratic) [data missing]
Pennsylvania 10	John W. Murphy	Democratic	1942	Incumbent resigned July 17, 1946, to become judge. New member elected November 5, 1946. Republican gain. Winner also elected to the next term.	■✔ James P. Scoblick (Republican) 51.2% ■Frank X. Murray (Democratic) 48.9%
Virginia 5	Thomas G. Burch	Democratic	1930	Incumbent resigned May 31, 1946, after being appointed to the U.S. Senate. New member elected November 5, 1946. Democratic hold. Winner also elected to the next term.	■✔ Thomas B. Stanley (Democratic) 78.7% ■William B. Creasy (Republican) 21.3%
Virginia 7	A. Willis Robertson	Democratic	1932	Incumbent resigned November 5, 1946, after being elected to the U.S. Senate. New member elected November 5, 1946. Democratic hold. Winner also elected to the next term.	■✔ Burr Harrison (Democratic) 62.5% ■Karl Jenkins (Republican) 37.5%

State-by-State Results

Alabama

In Alabama, all nine incumbent Democratic representatives were re-elected, with one district seeing a new Democratic representative after the incumbent lost renomination. The state remained a Democratic stronghold.

District	Incumbent			Results	Candidates
District	Incumbent	Party	First Elected	Results	Candidates
Alabama 1	Frank W. Boykin	Democratic	1935 (special)	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Frank W. Boykin (Democratic) Uncontested
Alabama 2	George M. Grant	Democratic	1938	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ George M. Grant (Democratic) Uncontested
Alabama 3	George W. Andrews	Democratic	1944	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ George W. Andrews (Democratic) Uncontested
Alabama 4	Sam Hobbs	Democratic	1934	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Sam Hobbs (Democratic) 88.1% ■Roger S. Bingham (Republican) 11.9%
Alabama 5	Albert Rains	Democratic	1944	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Albert Rains (Democratic) Uncontested
Alabama 6	Pete Jarman	Democratic	1936	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Pete Jarman (Democratic) Uncontested
Alabama 7	Carter Manasco	Democratic	1941 (special)	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Carter Manasco (Democratic) 72.7% ■M. H. Woodward (Republican) 27.3%
Alabama 8	John Sparkman	Democratic	1936	Incumbent re-elected. Elected simultaneously to U.S. Senate.	■✔ John Sparkman (Democratic) 92.4% ■Arthur South (Republican) 7.6%
Alabama 9	Luther Patrick	Democratic	1944	Incumbent lost renomination. Democratic hold.	■✔ Laurie C. Battle (Democratic) 94.1% ■J. G. Bass (Republican) 5.9%

Arizona

Arizona's at-large district saw both incumbent Democrats re-elected, despite Republican challengers. The state maintained its Democratic representation in the House.

District	Incumbent			Results	Candidates
District	Incumbent	Party	First Elected	Results	Candidates
Arizona at-large	John R. Murdock	Democratic	1936	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ John R. Murdock (Democratic) 33.9% ■✔ Richard F. Harless (Democratic) 32.5% ■Denver C. Henson (Republican) 16.8% ■John H. Curnutte (Republican) 16.4% ■Karl M. Wilson (Communist) 0.4%
Arizona at-large	Richard F. Harless	Democratic	1942	Incumbent re-elected.

Arkansas

Arkansas remained a solid Democratic state, with all incumbents successfully retaining their seats, many running unopposed or facing minimal opposition.

District	Incumbent			Results	Candidates
District	Incumbent	Party	First Elected	Results	Candidates
Arkansas 1	Ezekiel C. Gathings	Democratic	1938	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Ezekiel C. Gathings (Democratic) Uncontested
Arkansas 2	Wilbur Mills	Democratic	1938	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Wilbur Mills (Democratic) Uncontested
Arkansas 3	James William Trimble	Democratic	1944	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ James William Trimble (Democratic) Uncontested
Arkansas 4	William Fadjo Cravens	Democratic	1939 (special)	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ William Fadjo Cravens (Democratic) Uncontested
Arkansas 5	Brooks Hays	Democratic	1942	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Brooks Hays (Democratic) 85.2% ■James R. Harris (Republican) 11.3% ■Earl C. Sowder (Ind. Republican) 3.5%
Arkansas 6	William F. Norrell	Democratic	1938	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ William F. Norrell (Democratic) 84.7% ■M. O. Evans (Independent) 15.3%
Arkansas 7	Oren Harris	Democratic	1940	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Oren Harris (Democratic) Uncontested

California

California experienced a significant shift, with Republicans gaining four seats from Democrats, including a notable victory by Richard Nixon. This reflected the broader national trend of Republican resurgence.

District	Incumbent			Results	Candidates
District	Incumbent	Party	First Elected	Results	Candidates
California 1	Clarence F. Lea	Democratic	1916	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Clarence F. Lea (Democratic) Uncontested
California 2	Clair Engle	Democratic	1943 (special)	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Clair Engle (Democratic) Uncontested
California 3	J. Leroy Johnson	Republican	1942	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ J. Leroy Johnson (Republican) Uncontested
California 4	Franck R. Havenner	Democratic	1944	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Franck R. Havenner (Democratic) 52.9% ■Truman R. Young (Republican) 47.1%
California 5	Richard J. Welch	Republican	1926	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Richard J. Welch (Republican) Uncontested
California 6	George P. Miller	Democratic	1944	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ George P. Miller (Democratic) Uncontested
California 7	John H. Tolan	Democratic	1934	Incumbent retired. Republican gain.	■✔ John J. Allen Jr. (Republican) 56.2% ■Patrick W. McDonough (Democratic) 43.8%
California 8	Jack Z. Anderson	Republican	1938	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Jack Z. Anderson (Republican) Uncontested
California 9	Bertrand W. Gearhart	Republican	1934	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Bertrand W. Gearhart (Republican) 53.7% ■Hubert Phillips (Democratic) 46.3%
California 10	Alfred J. Elliott	Democratic	1937 (special)	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Alfred J. Elliott (Democratic) Uncontested
California 11	George E. Outland	Democratic	1942	Incumbent lost re-election. Republican gain.	■✔ Ernest K. Bramblett (Republican) 53.1% ■George E. Outland (Democratic) 46.9%
California 12	Jerry Voorhis	Democratic	1936	Incumbent lost re-election. Republican gain.	■✔ Richard Nixon (Republican) 56.0% ■Jerry Voorhis (Democratic) 42.7% ■John Henry Hoeppel (Prohibition) 1.3%
California 13	Ned R. Healy	Democratic	1944	Incumbent lost re-election. Republican gain.	■✔ Norris Poulson (Republican) 51.8% ■Ned R. Healy (Democratic) 48.2%
California 14	Helen Gahagan Douglas	Democratic	1944	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Helen Gahagan Douglas (Democratic) 54.4% ■Frederick M. Roberts (Republican) 45.6%
California 15	Gordon L. McDonough	Republican	1944	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Gordon L. McDonough (Republican) Uncontested
California 16	Ellis E. Patterson	Democratic	1944	Incumbent retired to run for U.S. senator. Republican gain.	■✔ Donald L. Jackson (Republican) 53.9% ■Harold Harby (Democratic) 31.7% ■Ellis E. Patterson (Write-in) 14.4%
California 17	Cecil R. King	Democratic	1942	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Cecil R. King (Democratic) Uncontested
California 18	Clyde Doyle	Democratic	1944	Incumbent lost re-election. Republican gain.	■✔ Willis W. Bradley (Republican) 52.8% ■Clyde Doyle (Democratic) 47.2%
California 19	Chet Holifield	Democratic	1942	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Chet Holifield (Democratic) 97.6% ■Marshall J. Morrill (Write-in) 2.4%
California 20	John Carl Hinshaw	Republican	1938	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ John Carl Hinshaw (Republican) 59.3% ■Everett G. Burkhalter (Democratic) 40.7%
California 21	Harry R. Sheppard	Democratic	1936	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Harry R. Sheppard (Democratic) 52.7% ■Lowell E. Lathrop (Republican) 47.3%
California 22	John Phillips	Republican	1942	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ John Phillips (Republican) 62.1% ■Ray Adkinson (Democratic) 37.9%
California 23	Edouard Izac	Democratic	1936	Incumbent lost re-election. Republican gain.	■✔ Charles K. Fletcher (Republican) 56.3% ■Edouard Izac (Democratic) 43.7%

Colorado

Colorado saw a mixed outcome, with one Democratic gain amidst Republican re-elections, indicating a competitive political environment.

District	Incumbent			Results	Candidates
District	Incumbent	Party	First Elected	Results	Candidates
Colorado 1	Dean M. Gillespie	Republican	1944	Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain.	■✔ John A. Carroll (Democratic) 51.8% ■Dean M. Gillespie (Republican) 47.7% ■Edgar P. Sherman (Socialist) 0.6%
Colorado 2	William S. Hill	Republican	1940	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ William S. Hill (Republican) 65.7% ■Frank A. Safranek (Democratic) 32.9% ■Benjamin E. O'Brien (Independent) 0.9% ■William E. Randall (Socialist) 0.6%
Colorado 3	John Chenoweth	Republican	1940	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ John Chenoweth (Republican) 54.6% ■Walter W. Johnson (Democratic) 45.4%
Colorado 4	Robert F. Rockwell	Republican	1941 (special)	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Robert F. Rockwell (Republican) 58.7% ■Thomas Matthews (Democratic) 41.3%

Connecticut

Connecticut saw a complete Republican sweep, with all five Democratic incumbents losing their seats and the at-large district also flipping, reflecting a strong anti-Democratic sentiment.

District	Incumbent			Results	Candidates
District	Incumbent	Party	First Elected	Results	Candidates
Connecticut 1	Herman P. Kopplemann	Democratic	1944	Incumbent lost re-election. Republican gain.	■✔ William J. Miller (Republican) 53.1% ■Herman P. Kopplemann (Democratic) 46.9%
Connecticut 2	Chase G. Woodhouse	Democratic	1944	Incumbent lost re-election. Republican gain.	■✔ Horace Seely-Brown Jr. (Republican) 55.3% ■Chase G. Woodhouse (Democratic) 44.7%
Connecticut 3	James P. Geelan	Democratic	1944	Incumbent lost re-election. Republican gain.	■✔ Ellsworth Foote (Republican) 58.9% ■James P. Geelan (Democratic) 41.1%
Connecticut 4	Clare Boothe Luce	Republican	1942	Incumbent retired. Republican hold.	■✔ John Davis Lodge (Republican) 57.1% ■Henry A. Mucci (Democratic) 35.4% ■Stanley W. Mayhew (Socialist) 5.8% ■William W. Sullivan (Independent) 1.7%
Connecticut 5	Joseph E. Talbot	Republican	1942	Incumbent retired to run for Governor. Republican hold.	■✔ James T. Patterson (Republican) 53.1% ■Thomas Radzevich (Democratic) 40.8% ■John C. Cluney (Socialist) 6.0% ■John C. Cluney (Good Government) 0.1%
Connecticut at-large	Joseph F. Ryter	Democratic	1944	Incumbent lost re-election. Republican gain.	■✔ Antoni Sadlak (Republican) 55.6% ■Joseph F. Ryter (Democratic) 40.9% ■Raymond C. Smith (Socialist) 3.3% ■Michael A. Russo (Communist) 0.2%

Delaware

Delaware's single at-large district flipped from Democratic to Republican, contributing to the national Republican wave.

District	Incumbent			Results	Candidates
District	Incumbent	Party	First Elected	Results	Candidates
Delaware at-large	Philip A. Traynor	Democratic	1944	Incumbent lost re-election. Republican gain.	■✔ J. Caleb Boggs (Republican) 56.4% ■Philip A. Traynor (Democratic) 43.6%

Florida

Florida remained largely Democratic, with most incumbents re-elected, though one district saw a new Democratic representative after the incumbent lost renomination.

District	Incumbent			Results	Candidates
District	Incumbent	Party	First Elected	Results	Candidates
Florida 1	J. Hardin Peterson	Democratic	1932	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ J. Hardin Peterson (Democratic) Uncontested
Florida 2	Emory H. Price	Democratic	1942	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Emory H. Price (Democratic) Uncontested
Florida 3	Bob Sikes	Democratic	1940	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Bob Sikes (Democratic) Uncontested
Florida 4	Pat Cannon	Democratic	1938	Incumbent lost renomination. Democratic hold.	■✔ George Smathers (Democratic) 71.9% ■Norman N. Curtis (Republican) 28.1%
Florida 5	Joe Hendricks	Democratic	1936	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Joe Hendricks (Democratic) 61.3% ■M. J. Moss Jr. (Republican) 38.7%
Florida 6	Dwight L. Rogers	Democratic	1944	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Dwight L. Rogers (Democratic) 71.1% ■Joseph P. Moe (Republican) 28.9%

Georgia

Georgia maintained its strong Democratic representation, with several incumbents re-elected and new Democrats filling seats where incumbents lost renomination or ran as independents.

District	Incumbent			Results	Candidates
District	Incumbent	Party	First Elected	Results	Candidates
Georgia 1	Hugh Peterson	Democratic	1934	Incumbent lost renomination. Democratic hold.	■✔ Prince Hulon Preston Jr. (Democratic) 99.9% ■H. W. Sheppard (Independent) 0.1%
Georgia 2	Edward E. Cox	Democratic	1924	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Edward E. Cox (Democratic) Uncontested
Georgia 3	Stephen Pace	Democratic	1936	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Stephen Pace (Democratic) Uncontested
Georgia 4	Albert Sidney Camp	Democratic	1939 (special)	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Albert Sidney Camp (Democratic) Uncontested
Georgia 5	Helen Douglas Mankin	Democratic	1946 (special)	Incumbent lost renomination and then lost re-election as an Independent. Democratic hold.	■✔ James C. Davis (Democratic) 61.7% ■Helen Douglas Mankin (Independent) 38.3% ■Henry A. Alexander (Independent) 0.05%
Georgia 6	Carl Vinson	Democratic	1914	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Carl Vinson (Democratic) Uncontested
Georgia 7	Malcolm C. Tarver	Democratic	1926	Incumbent lost renomination. Democratic hold.	■✔ Henderson Lovelace Lanham (Democratic) Uncontested
Georgia 8	John S. Gibson	Democratic	1940	Incumbent lost renomination. Democratic hold.	■✔ William M. Wheeler (Democratic) Uncontested
Georgia 9	John Stephens Wood	Democratic	1944	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ John Stephens Wood (Democratic) Uncontested
Georgia 10	Paul Brown	Democratic	1933 (special)	Incumbent re-elected.	■✔ Paul Brown (Democratic) Uncontested

Idaho

Idaho saw a Republican gain in one of its two districts, reflecting the national trend of Republican strength in the 1946 midterms.

District	Incumbent			Results	Candidates
District	Incumbent	Party	First Elected	Results	Candidates
Idaho 1	Compton I. White	Democratic	1932	Incumbent lost re-election. Republican gain.	■✔ Abe Goff (Republican) 50.6% ■Compton I. White (Democratic) 49.4%
Idaho 2	Henry Dworshak	Republican	1938	Incumbent retired to run for U.S. senator. Republican hold.	■✔ John C. Sanborn (Republican) 60.7%

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The Great Shift: America's 1946 Midterm Revolution

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Election Overview ℹ️

🗓️ A Post-War Political Turning Point

🔄 The End of Democratic Dominance

🏛️ Republican Resurgence

Political Climate & Context ☁️

📉 Truman's Approval and Public Sentiment

🚧 Post-War Labor Unrest

🛒 Price Controls and Shortages

🗣️ Political Satire and Lasting Impact

Overall Election Results 📊

📈 Congressional Composition

🗳️ Popular Vote Distribution

🪑 House Seat Distribution

Special Elections ⭐

📅 Mid-Term Vacancies and Replacements

State-by-State Results 🇺🇸

🅰️ Alabama

🌵 Arizona

🏞️ Arkansas

🐻 California

⛰️ Colorado

🌳 Connecticut

💎 Delaware

☀️ Florida

🍑 Georgia

🥔 Idaho

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Election Overview

A Post-War Political Turning Point

The End of Democratic Dominance

Republican Resurgence

Political Climate & Context

Truman's Approval and Public Sentiment

Post-War Labor Unrest

Price Controls and Shortages

Political Satire and Lasting Impact

Overall Election Results

Congressional Composition

Popular Vote Distribution

House Seat Distribution

Special Elections

Mid-Term Vacancies and Replacements

State-by-State Results

Alabama

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Idaho

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

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References

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Disclaimer

Important Notice