This is an interactive analysis based on the Wikipedia article on the 1948 United States House of Representatives elections. Read the full source article here. (opens in new tab)

The 1948 Congressional Mandate

An analytical deep dive into the pivotal elections that shifted the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives, impacting the 81st Congress.

Election Overview 👇 View Results 📊

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Election Overview

Context of the Election

The 1948 United States House of Representatives elections determined the composition of the House for the 81st United States Congress. These elections, held primarily on November 2, 1948, coincided with President Harry S. Truman's successful bid for a full term in office. Truman's campaign effectively challenged the Republican-controlled Congress, which he characterized as "do-nothing" and obstructive to his legislative agenda.

Electoral Impact

The Democratic Party achieved a significant victory, regaining control of both the House and the Senate. This marked their largest seat gain in the House since the landmark elections of 1932. The outcome represented a substantial mandate for President Truman's administration and policies.

Election Date

The majority of elections took place on November 2, 1948. However, Maine conducted its elections earlier, on September 13, 1948. These elections were notable for being the last until 1980 where a party other than the Democrats or Republicans, or an independent, held seats in the chamber.

Overall Results

Seat Distribution

The election saw a dramatic shift in party control. The Democratic Party secured a commanding majority, winning 263 seats, a gain of 75 seats. The Republican Party, conversely, saw its representation reduced to 171 seats, a loss of 75 seats. A single seat was won by the American Labor Party.

Democratic
60.46%
Republican
39.31%
American Labor
0.23%

Popular Vote

The popular vote reflected the significant shift, with the Democratic Party garnering 24,217,516 votes (52.6%), while the Republican Party received 20,894,960 votes (45.4%). This represented a notable swing of approximately 7.6 percentage points in favor of the Democrats compared to the previous election cycle.

Democratic
52.63%
Republican
45.41%
Others
1.07%

Special Elections

Vacancies and Replacements

Several special elections were held to fill vacancies created by resignations or deaths. These contests provided early indicators of the political climate and often resulted in party holds, though notable shifts occurred, such as an American Labor gain in New York's 24th district.

Key special elections included:

  • New York 24th: Leo Isacson (American Labor) won, marking a gain for the party.
  • Virginia 4th: Watkins Abbitt (Democratic) retained the seat.
  • Kentucky 2nd: John A. Whitaker (Democratic) was elected.
  • Kentucky 9th: William Lewis (Republican) was elected.
  • Missouri 10th: Paul C. Jones (Democratic) won the seat.
  • Virginia 6th: Clarence G. Burton (Democratic) was elected.
  • Texas 15th: Lloyd Bentsen (Democratic) won uncontested after the incumbent's death.

Alabama Delegation

The following table details the results for Alabama's congressional districts in the 1948 elections.

District Results

Alabama Congressional Elections, 1948
District Incumbent Party First Elected Result Candidates
1 Frank W. Boykin Democratic 1935 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
  • Frank W. Boykin (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
2 George M. Grant Democratic 1938 Incumbent re-elected.
  • George M. Grant (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
3 George W. Andrews Democratic 1944 Incumbent re-elected.
  • George W. Andrews (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
4 Sam Hobbs Democratic 1934 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Sam Hobbs (Democratic) 85.0%
  • H. Hogan Stewart (Republican) 15.0%
5 Albert Rains Democratic 1944 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Albert Rains (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
6 Pete Jarman Democratic 1936 Incumbent lost renomination. Democratic hold.
  • Edward deGraffenried (Democratic) 82.3%
  • William P. Ivey (Republican) 17.7%
7 Carter Manasco Democratic 1941 (special) Incumbent lost renomination. Democratic hold.
  • Carl Elliott (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
8 Robert E. Jones Jr. Democratic 1947 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
  • Robert E. Jones Jr. (Democratic) 88.4%
  • Harry J. Frahn (Republican) 11.6%
9 Laurie C. Battle Democratic 1946 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Laurie C. Battle (Democratic) 87.1%
  • Hiram Dodd (Republican) 12.9%

Arizona Delegation

The results for Arizona's congressional districts in the 1948 elections are presented below.

District Results

Arizona Congressional Elections, 1948
District Incumbent Party First Elected Result Candidates
1 John R. Murdock
(Redistricted from at-large)
Democratic 1936 Incumbent re-elected.
  • John R. Murdock (Democratic) 58.4%
  • John Hunt Udall (Republican) 41.0%
  • A. E. Templin (Prohibition) 0.7%
2 Richard F. Harless
(Redistricted from at-large)
Democratic 1942 Incumbent retired. Democratic hold.
  • Harold Patten (Democratic) 62.8%
  • Albert R. Buehman (Republican) 35.0%
Others
  • John P. Foley (Progressive) 1.7%
  • T. C. Abbott (Prohibition) 0.4%

Arkansas Delegation

The results for Arkansas's congressional districts in the 1948 elections are presented below.

District Results

Arkansas Congressional Elections, 1948
District Incumbent Party First Elected Result Candidates
1 Ezekiel C. Gathings Democratic 1938 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Ezekiel C. Gathings (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
2 Wilbur Mills Democratic 1938 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Wilbur Mills (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
3 James William Trimble Democratic 1944 Incumbent re-elected.
  • James William Trimble (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
4 William Fadjo Cravens Democratic 1939 (special) Incumbent retired. Democratic hold.
  • Boyd Anderson Tackett (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
5 Brooks Hays Democratic 1942 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Brooks Hays (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
6 William F. Norrell Democratic 1938 Incumbent re-elected.
  • William F. Norrell (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
7 Oren Harris Democratic 1940 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Oren Harris (Democratic)
  • Uncontested

California Delegation

California experienced significant shifts, with several districts changing party hands. The following table details the outcomes for the state's congressional races.

District Results

California Congressional Elections, 1948
District Incumbent Party First Elected Result Candidates
1 Clarence F. Lea Democratic 1916 Incumbent retired. Republican gain.
  • Hubert B. Scudder (Republican) 54.5%
  • Sterling J. Norgard (Democratic) 45.3%
  • Roger Kent (Write-in) 0.2%
2 Clair Engle Democratic 1943 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
  • Clair Engle (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
3 J. Leroy Johnson Republican 1942 Incumbent re-elected.
  • J. Leroy Johnson (Republican) 84.4%
  • James B. Willard (Ind. Progressive) 15.6%
4 Franck R. Havenner Democratic 1944 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Franck R. Havenner (Democratic) 51.0%
  • William S. Mailliard (Republican) 47.7%
  • Francis J. McTernan Jr. (Ind. Progressive) 1.3%
5 Richard J. Welch Republican 1926 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Richard J. Welch (Republican)
  • Uncontested
6 George P. Miller Democratic 1944 Incumbent re-elected.
  • George P. Miller (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
7 John J. Allen Jr. Republican 1946 Incumbent re-elected.
  • John J. Allen Jr. (Republican) 51.4%
  • Buell G. Gallagher (Democratic) 48.6%
8 Jack Z. Anderson Republican 1938 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Jack Z. Anderson (Republican) 79.9%
  • Paul Taylor (Ind. Progressive) 20.1%
9 Bertrand W. Gearhart Republican 1934 Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain.
  • Cecil F. White (Democratic) 51.3%
  • Bertrand W. Gearhart (Republican) 46.9%
  • Josephine F. Daniels (Ind. Progressive) 1.8%
10 Alfred J. Elliott Democratic 1937 (special) Incumbent retired. Republican gain.
  • Thomas H. Werdel (Republican) 71.3%
  • Sam James Miller (Ind. Progressive) 28.7%
11 Ernest K. Bramblett Republican 1946 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Ernest K. Bramblett (Republican) 80.8%
  • Cole Weston (Ind. Progressive) 13.5%
  • George E. Outland (Write-in) 5.7%
12 Richard Nixon Republican 1946 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Richard Nixon (Republican) 87.8%
  • Una W. Rice (Ind. Progressive) 12.2%
13 Norris Poulson Republican 1946 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Norris Poulson (Republican) 52.6%
  • Ned R. Healy (Democratic) 47.4%
14 Helen Gahagan Douglas Democratic 1944 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Helen Gahagan Douglas (Democratic) 65.3%
  • W. Wallace Braden (Republican) 32.5%
  • Sidney Moore (Ind. Progressive) 2.1%
15 Gordon L. McDonough Republican 1944 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Gordon L. McDonough (Republican) 83.0%
  • Maynard J. Omerberg (Ind. Progressive) 17.0%
16 Donald L. Jackson Republican 1946 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Donald L. Jackson (Republican) 57.0%
  • Ellis E. Patterson (Democratic) 43.0%
17 Cecil R. King Democratic 1942 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Cecil R. King (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
18 Willis W. Bradley Republican 1946 Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain.
  • Clyde Doyle (Democratic) 51.1%
  • Willis W. Bradley (Republican) 44.9%
  • Stanley Moffatt (Ind. Progressive) 4.0%
19 Chester E. Holifield Democratic 1942 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Chet Holifield (Democratic) 69.7%
  • Joseph Francis Quigley (Republican) 27.5%
  • Jacob Berman (Ind. Progressive) 1.8%
  • Myra Tanner Weiss (Independent) 1.0%
20 John Carl Hinshaw Republican 1938 Incumbent re-elected.
  • John Carl Hinshaw (Republican) 81.6%
  • William B. Esterman (Ind. Progressive) 18.4%
21 Harry R. Sheppard Democratic 1936 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Harry R. Sheppard (Democratic) 55.2%
  • Lowell E. Lathrop (Republican) 42.6%
  • Howard G. Louks (Ind. Progressive) 2.2%
22 John Phillips Republican 1942 Incumbent re-elected.
  • John Phillips (Republican)
  • Uncontested
23 Charles K. Fletcher Republican 1946 Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain.
  • Clinton D. McKinnon (Democratic) 55.8%
  • Charles K. Fletcher (Republican) 43.2%
  • Harry C. Steinmetz (Ind. Progressive) 1.0%

Colorado Delegation

Colorado's congressional races in 1948 saw shifts in representation, with Democrats gaining ground in some districts.

District Results

Colorado Congressional Elections, 1948
District Incumbent Party First Elected Result Candidates
1 John A. Carroll Democratic 1946 Incumbent re-elected.
  • John A. Carroll (Democratic) 64.8%
  • Christopher F. Cusack (Republican) 35.2%
2 William S. Hill Republican 1940 Incumbent re-elected.
  • William S. Hill (Republican) 51.9%
  • George L. Bickel (Democratic) 48.1%
3 John Chenoweth Republican 1940 Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain.
  • John H. Marsalis (Democratic) 50.7%
  • John Chenoweth (Republican) 49.3%
4 Robert F. Rockwell Republican 1941 (special) Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain.
  • Wayne N. Aspinall (Democratic) 51.9%
  • Robert F. Rockwell (Republican) 48.1%

Connecticut Delegation

Connecticut experienced a notable shift towards the Democratic Party in its congressional representation during the 1948 elections.

District Results

Connecticut Congressional Elections, 1948
District Incumbent Party First Elected Result Candidates
1 William J. Miller Republican 1946 Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain.
  • Abraham Ribicoff (Democratic) 54.7%
  • William J. Miller (Republican) 44.2%
  • Harold Conroy (People's) 1.1%
2 Horace Seely-Brown Jr. Republican 1946 Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain.
  • Chase G. Woodhouse (Democratic) 51.6%
  • Horace Seely-Brown Jr. (Republican) 48.4%
3 Ellsworth Foote Republican 1946 Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain.
  • John A. McGuire (Democratic) 49.7%
  • Ellsworth Foote (Republican) 49.0%
  • John Marsalka (People's) 1.3%
4 John Davis Lodge Republican 1946 Incumbent re-elected.
  • John Davis Lodge (Republican) 55.2%
  • William Gaston (Democratic) 43.4%
  • Charles E. Didsbury (People's) 1.5%
5 James T. Patterson Republican 1946 Incumbent re-elected.
  • James T. Patterson (Republican) 51.1%
  • Vincent P. Kiernan (Democratic) 47.4%
  • Charles E. Didsbury (People's) 1.0%
  • William A. Sherman (Socialist) 0.5%
At-large Antoni Sadlak Republican 1946 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Antoni Sadlak (Republican) 49.3%
  • Fred Trotta (Democratic) 48.8%
  • Nicholas Tomassetti (People's) 1.2%
  • Ralph M. Waterman (Socialist) 0.7%

Delaware Delegation

Delaware's at-large congressional seat saw a close contest, with the incumbent Republican narrowly retaining his position.

District Results

Delaware Congressional Elections, 1948
District Incumbent Party First Elected Result Candidates
At-large J. Caleb Boggs Republican 1946 Incumbent re-elected.
  • J. Caleb Boggs (Republican) 50.6%
  • J. Carl McGuigan (Democratic) 49.0%
  • Edward C. Graham (Prohibition) 0.3%
  • Le Roy B. Jones (Socialist) 0.07%

Florida Delegation

Florida's congressional delegation remained predominantly Democratic, with incumbents securing re-election in most districts.

District Results

Florida Congressional Elections, 1948
District Incumbent Party First Elected Result Candidates
1 J. Hardin Peterson Democratic 1932 Incumbent re-elected.
  • J. Hardin Peterson (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
2 Emory H. Price Democratic 1942 Incumbent lost renomination. Democratic hold.
  • Charles E. Bennett (Democratic) 91.4%
  • Camille Geneau (Republican) 8.6%
3 Bob Sikes Democratic 1940 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Bob Sikes (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
4 George Smathers Democratic 1946 Incumbent re-elected.
  • George Smathers (Democratic) 81.0%
  • J. L. Wambaugh (Republican) 19.0%
5 Joe Hendricks Democratic 1936 Incumbent retired. Democratic hold.
  • Syd Herlong (Democratic) 70.6%
  • M. J. Moss Jr. (Republican) 29.4%
6 Dwight L. Rogers Democratic 1944 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Dwight L. Rogers (Democratic) 66.7%
  • Rolf Kaltenborn (Republican) 33.3%

Georgia Delegation

Georgia's congressional delegation remained solidly Democratic, with all incumbents winning re-election, often without opposition.

District Results

Georgia Congressional Elections, 1948
District Incumbent Party First Elected Result Candidates
1 Prince Hulon Preston Jr. Democratic 1946 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Prince Hulon Preston Jr. (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
2 E. Eugene Cox Democratic 1924 Incumbent re-elected.
  • E. Eugene Cox (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
3 Stephen Pace Democratic 1936 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Stephen Pace (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
4 A. Sidney Camp Democratic 1939 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
  • A. Sidney Camp (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
5 James C. Davis Democratic 1946 Incumbent re-elected.
  • James C. Davis (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
6 Carl Vinson Democratic 1914 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Carl Vinson (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
7 Henderson L. Lanham Democratic 1946 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Henderson L. Lanham (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
8 William McDonald Wheeler Democratic 1946 Incumbent re-elected.
  • William M. Wheeler (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
9 John Stephens Wood Democratic 1944 Incumbent re-elected.
  • John Stephens Wood (Democratic)
  • Uncontested
10 Paul Brown Democratic 1933 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Paul Brown (Democratic)
  • Uncontested

Idaho Delegation

Idaho saw a party switch in its 1st district, with a Democratic gain, while the 2nd district remained Republican.

District Results

Idaho Congressional Elections, 1948
District Incumbent Party First Elected Result Candidates
1 Abe Goff Republican 1946 Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain.
  • Compton I. White (Democratic) 51.8%
  • Abe Goff (Republican) 45.7%
  • Thomas B. Wood (Progressive) 2.4%
  • Richard M. Schaefer (Socialist) 0.1%
2 John C. Sanborn Republican 1946 Incumbent re-elected.
  • John C. Sanborn (Republican) 50.7%
  • Asael Lyman (Democratic) 48.5%
  • C. W. Dill (Progressive) 0.8%

Illinois Delegation

Illinois underwent redistricting prior to the 1948 elections, creating new districts and altering existing ones. The results show a significant Democratic surge, flipping several Republican seats.

District Results

Illinois Congressional Elections, 1948
District Incumbent Party First Elected Result Candidates
1 William L. Dawson Democratic 1942 Incumbent re-elected.
  • William L. Dawson (Democratic) 67.0%
  • William E. King (Republican) 29.2%
  • Earl B. Dickerson (Progressive) 3.8%
2 Richard B. Vail Republican 1946 Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain.
  • Barratt O'Hara (Democratic) 50.5%
  • Richard B. Vail (Republican) 46.9%
  • Maynard C. Krueger (Independent) 2.5%
3 Fred E. Busbey Republican 1946 Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain.
  • Neil J. Linehan (Democratic) 52.9%
  • Fred E. Busbey (Republican) 47.1%
4 None (new district) Democratic New seat New seat. Democratic gain.
  • James V. Buckley (Democratic) 52.1%
  • Leslie E. Salter (Republican) 47.9%
5 Martin Gorski
(Redistricted from 4th)
Democratic 1942 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Martin Gorski (Democratic) 72.4%
  • John L. Waner (Republican) 27.6%
6 Thomas J. O'Brien Democratic 1942 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Thomas J. O'Brien (Democratic) 68.4%
  • John M. Coan (Republican) 28.6%
  • Sidney L. Ordower (Progressive) 3.0%
7 Adolph J. Sabath
(Redistricted from 5th)
Democratic 1906 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Adolph J. Sabath (Democratic) 73.7%
  • Francis C. Sperry (Republican) 26.3%
8 Thomas S. Gordon Democratic 1942 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Thomas S. Gordon (Democratic) 65.1%
  • Herbert F. Geisler (Republican) 34.9%
9 Robert Twyman Republican 1946 Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain.
  • Sidney R. Yates (Democratic) 54.5%
  • Robert Twyman (Republican) 43.8%
  • Dorothy Bushnell Cole (Progressive) 1.7%
10 None (new district) Republican New seat New seat. Republican gain.
  • Richard W. Hoffman (Republican) 58.1%
  • Marvin J. Peters (Democratic) 41.9%
  • Irving G. Steinberg (Progressive) 2.6%
11 None (new district) Democratic New seat New seat. Democratic gain.
  • Chester A. Chesney (Democratic) 50.8%
  • James C. Moreland (Republican) 49.2%
12 None (new district) Republican New seat New seat. Republican gain.
  • Edgar A. Jonas (Republican) 51.3%
  • Blair L. Varnes (Democratic) 46.1%
  • Irving G. Steinberg (Progressive) 2.6%
13 Ralph E. Church
(Redistricted from 10th)
Republican 1942 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Ralph E. Church (Republican) 68.0%
  • Willard C. Walters (Democratic) 32.0%
14 Chauncey W. Reed
(Redistricted from 11th)
Republican 1934 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Chauncey W. Reed (Republican) 68.3%
  • Richard Plum (Democratic) 31.7%
15 Noah M. Mason
(Redistricted from 12th)
Republican 1936 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Noah M. Mason (Republican) 56.4%
  • G. M. Wells (Democratic) 43.6%
16 Leo E. Allen
(Redistricted from 13th)
Republican 1932 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Leo E. Allen (Republican) 58.5%
  • Albert H. Manus Jr. (Democratic) 41.5%
17 Leslie C. Arends Republican 1934 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Leslie C. Arends (Republican) 62.8%
  • Carl Schurz Vrooman (Democratic) 37.2%
18 Everett Dirksen
(Redistricted from 16th)
Republican 1932 Incumbent retired. Republican hold.
  • Harold Velde (Republican) 60.8%
  • William G. Burnside (Democratic) 39.2%

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References

References

  1.  September 13, 1948 in Maine
  2.  Election Statistics - Office of the Clerk
A full list of references for this article are available at the 1948 United States House of Representatives elections Wikipedia page

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