1850–51 United States House of Representatives elections
August 5, 1850 – November 4, 1851
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All 233 seats in the United States House of Representatives 117 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Results: Democratic gain Whig gain Democratic hold Whig hold Free Soil hold Free Soil gain Union gain Southern Rights gain Independent gain | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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States held the 1850–51 United States House of Representatives elections between August 5, 1850, and November 4, 1851 during President Millard Fillmore's term. Each state set a date for its elections to the House of Representatives before the first session of the 32nd United States Congress convened on December 1, 1851. Thirty-one states held elections, for 233 House seats.
After previously winning a plurality, the Democrats won a majority over the rival Whigs. Incumbent Whig President Millard Fillmore, who had succeeded to the Presidency in July 1850 after the death of more charismatic General Zachary Taylor, lacked a strong political base. The Compromise of 1850, which admitted California alone as a free state in exchange for concessions to slave state interests, began integration of the Mexican Cession. It appeared in the short term that Congress had politically feasible options to contain sectionalism and to reduce tensions over expanding slavery in the West. This optimism soon would prove unfounded.
In the South, two short-lived minor parties formed, one supporting, and the other opposing, the Compromise of 1850. The supporting Union Party won 10 seats, while the opposing Southern Rights Party won three. The Free Soil Party, which opposed the expansion of slavery into the Western territories, lost seats and was reduced to four Representatives.