United States House election, 1912
Encyclopedia
The U.S. House election of 1912 was an election for the United States House of Representatives
in 1912 which coincided with the election of President
Woodrow Wilson
.
Wilson's victory was partly due to the division of the opposition Republican Party into conservative and progressive factions. While many progressives stayed within the party framework, they maintained lukewarm relationships with Republican leadership. Others formed a third party
and several switched allegiance to the Democrats. A message of unity was portrayed by the Democrats, allowing this group to present themselves as above the bickering and corruption that had become associated with the Republican internal feud. Many of the new seats that were added after the prior census ended up in Democratic hands.
The number of seats in the chamber changed for this election, which is reflected in the seat totals for both sides. Notable freshmen included future Speaker
Sam Rayburn
(D-Texas
) and future Vice President
and Senate Majority Leader Alben W. Barkley
(D-Kentucky
).
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in 1912 which coincided with the election of President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
.
Wilson's victory was partly due to the division of the opposition Republican Party into conservative and progressive factions. While many progressives stayed within the party framework, they maintained lukewarm relationships with Republican leadership. Others formed a third party
Progressive Party (United States, 1912)
The Progressive Party of 1912 was an American political party. It was formed after a split in the Republican Party between President William Howard Taft and former President Theodore Roosevelt....
and several switched allegiance to the Democrats. A message of unity was portrayed by the Democrats, allowing this group to present themselves as above the bickering and corruption that had become associated with the Republican internal feud. Many of the new seats that were added after the prior census ended up in Democratic hands.
The number of seats in the chamber changed for this election, which is reflected in the seat totals for both sides. Notable freshmen included future Speaker
Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, or Speaker of the House, is the presiding officer of the United States House of Representatives...
Sam Rayburn
Sam Rayburn
Samuel Taliaferro Rayburn , often called "Mr. Sam," or "Mr. Democrat," was a Democratic lawmaker from Bonham, Texas, who served as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives for seventeen years, the longest tenure in U.S. history.- Background :Rayburn was born in Roane County, Tennessee, and...
(D-Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
) and future Vice President
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
and Senate Majority Leader Alben W. Barkley
Alben W. Barkley
Alben William Barkley was an American politician in the Democratic Party who served as the 35th Vice President of the United States , under President Harry S. Truman....
(D-Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
).
Overall results
| Party | Total seats | Change | Seat percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 291 | 61 | 66.8% |
| Progressive Party Progressive Party (United States, 1912) The Progressive Party of 1912 was an American political party. It was formed after a split in the Republican Party between President William Howard Taft and former President Theodore Roosevelt.... |
9 | 9 | 2.0% |
| Republican Party | 134 | 28 | 30.8% |
| Independent | 1 | 0.2% | |
| Totals | 435 | 41 | 100.0% |
 |
 |
California
California gained three seats in apportionment.| District | Incumbent | Party | Elected | Status | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Kent William Kent (U.S. Congressman) William Kent was an American who served as a United States Congressman representing the State of California. He spearheaded the movement to create the Muir Woods National Monument by donating land to the Federal Government for the Monument.Kent was born in Chicago, Illinois... Redistricted from the 2nd district |
Republican | 1910 United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1910 The United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1910 was an election for California's delegation to the United States House of Representatives, which occurred as part of the general election of the House of Representatives on November 8, 1910... |
Re-elected as an Independent Independent gain |
William Kent William Kent (U.S. Congressman) William Kent was an American who served as a United States Congressman representing the State of California. He spearheaded the movement to create the Muir Woods National Monument by donating land to the Federal Government for the Monument.Kent was born in Chicago, Illinois... (I) 37.3% I. G. Zumwalt (D) 34.4% Edward H. Hart (R) 19.4% Joseph Bredsteen (S) 9% |
|
| John E. Raker John E. Raker John Edward Raker, was a Democratic Party Congressional representative for California. He was usually known as John E. Raker.... Redistricted from the 1st district |
Democratic | 1910 United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1910 The United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1910 was an election for California's delegation to the United States House of Representatives, which occurred as part of the general election of the House of Representatives on November 8, 1910... |
Re-elected | John E. Raker John E. Raker John Edward Raker, was a Democratic Party Congressional representative for California. He was usually known as John E. Raker.... (D) 62.6% Frank M. Rutherford (R) 27.2% J. C. Williams (S) 10.2% |
|
| None (District created) | New seat Republican gain |
Charles F. Curry Charles F. Curry Charles Forrest Curry was a U.S. Representative from California and the father of Charles Forrest Curry, Jr..... (R) 58.8% Gilbert McMillan Ross (D) 28.8% William L. Wilson (S) 12.4% |
|||
| Julius Kahn Julius Kahn Julius Kahn was a United States Congressman who was succeeded by his wife Florence Prag Kahn after his death. Kahn was born in Kuppenheim, in the Grand Duchy of Baden, in what would become Germany.... |
Republican | 1898 United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1898 The United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1898 was an election for California's delegation to the United States House of Representatives, which occurred as part of the general election of the House of Representatives on November 8, 1898... |
Re-elected | Julius Kahn Julius Kahn Julius Kahn was a United States Congressman who was succeeded by his wife Florence Prag Kahn after his death. Kahn was born in Kuppenheim, in the Grand Duchy of Baden, in what would become Germany.... (R) 56.1% Bert Schlesinger (D) 32.7% Norman W. Pendleton (S) 11.2% |
|
| None (District created) | New seat Republican gain |
John I. Nolan John I. Nolan John Ignatius Nolan was an American iron molder and politician who represented a Californian district in the United States House of Representatives.- Background :... (R) 52.3% Stephen V. Costello (D) 34.7% E. L. Reguin (S) 13% |
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| Joseph R. Knowland Joseph R. Knowland Joseph Russell Knowland was an American politician and newspaper publisher. He served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from California and was owner, editor and publisher of the Oakland Tribune. He was the father of United States Senator William F... Redistricted from the 3rd district |
Republican | 1904 United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1904 The United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1904 was an election for California's delegation to the United States House of Representatives, which occurred as part of the general election of the House of Representatives on November 8, 1904... |
Re-elected | Joseph R. Knowland Joseph R. Knowland Joseph Russell Knowland was an American politician and newspaper publisher. He served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from California and was owner, editor and publisher of the Oakland Tribune. He was the father of United States Senator William F... (R) 53.7% J. Stitt Wilson (S) 40% Hiram A Luttrell (D) 6.3% |
|
| James C. Needham James C. Needham James Carson Needham was a U.S. Representative from California.Born in a covered wagon at Carson City, Nevada, James Needham arrived as a babe in arms with his parents at Mayfield, Santa Clara, California, October 1, 1864.... Redistricted from the 6th district |
Republican | 1898 United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1898 The United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1898 was an election for California's delegation to the United States House of Representatives, which occurred as part of the general election of the House of Representatives on November 8, 1898... |
Lost re-election Democratic gain |
Denver S. Church Denver S. Church Denver Samuel Church was a U.S. Representative from California.Born in Folsom City, California, Church attended the common schools.He was graduated from Healdsburg College in 1885.He studied law.... (D) 44.1% James C. Needham (R) 42.6% J. S. Cato (S) 13.3% |
|
| Everis A. Hayes Everis A. Hayes Everis Anson Hayes was a U.S. Representative from California.Born in Waterloo, Wisconsin, Hayes attended the public schools.... Redistricted from the 5th district |
Republican | 1904 United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1904 The United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1904 was an election for California's delegation to the United States House of Representatives, which occurred as part of the general election of the House of Representatives on November 8, 1904... |
Re-elected | Everis A. Hayes Everis A. Hayes Everis Anson Hayes was a U.S. Representative from California.Born in Waterloo, Wisconsin, Hayes attended the public schools.... (R) 51% James B. Holohan (D) 35.2% Robert Whitaker (S) 13.9% |
|
| None (District created) | New seat Republican gain |
Charles W. Bell Charles W. Bell Charles Webster Bell was a U.S. Representative from California.Born in Albany, New York, Bell attended public schools. He moved to California in 1877 and settled in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, where he engaged in fruit growing and the real estate business. Moreover, he also served as a county... (R) 47.2% Thomas H. Kirk (D) 23.9% Ralph L. Criswell (S) 18.2% George S. Yarnall (Proh.) 10.7% |
|||
| William Stephens William Stephens William Dennison Stephens was an American federal and state politician. A three-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1911 to 1916, Stephens was also the 24th Governor of California from 1917 to 1923.... |
Republican | 1910 United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1910 The United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1910 was an election for California's delegation to the United States House of Representatives, which occurred as part of the general election of the House of Representatives on November 8, 1910... |
Re-elected | William Stephens William Stephens William Dennison Stephens was an American federal and state politician. A three-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1911 to 1916, Stephens was also the 24th Governor of California from 1917 to 1923.... (P) 53.4% George Ringo (D) 21.9% Fred C. Wheeler (S) 21% Emory D. Martindale (Proh.) 3.7% |
|
| Sylvester C. Smith Sylvester C. Smith Sylvester Clark Smith was a U.S. Representative from California.Born near Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Smith attended the district schools and Howe's Academy at Mount Pleasant.He taught school in Winfield, Iowa.... Redistricted from the 8th district |
Republican | 1904 United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1904 The United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1904 was an election for California's delegation to the United States House of Representatives, which occurred as part of the general election of the House of Representatives on November 8, 1904... |
Retired and died before the Congress ended Democratic gain |
William Kettner William Kettner William "Bill" Kettner was a former US Democratic politician from San Diego, California. He served four terms in Congress from 1913 through 1921 and is credited with bringing many U.S. Navy facilities to San Diego.... (D) 42.7% Samuel C. Evans (R) 36.8% Noble A. Richardson (S) 12.1% Helen M. Stoddard (Proh.) 8.3% |
|
See also
- 63rd United States Congress63rd United States Congress- House of Representatives:*Democratic : 291 *Republican : 134*Progressive : 9*Independent : 1TOTAL members: 435-Senate:*President of the Senate: Thomas R. Marshall*President pro tempore: James P. Clarke-Senate:...
- United States Senate elections, 1912
- United States presidential election, 1912United States presidential election, 1912The United States presidential election of 1912 was a rare four-way contest. Incumbent President William Howard Taft was renominated by the Republican Party with the support of its conservative wing. After former President Theodore Roosevelt failed to receive the Republican nomination, he called...