United States House election, 1852
Encyclopedia
Elections to the United States House of Representatives
were held in 1852.
This election cycle saw the Democrats increase their House majority and gain the presidency (under Franklin Pierce
). Although sectionalism remained a huge problem, the parties got a slight boost of stability due to the unity of a bitter presidential campaign. Two small third parties, the Constitutional Unionists and States' Rights parties, quickly collapsed prior to this election, while the anti-slavery Free Soil Party held onto its four seats.
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...
were held in 1852.
This election cycle saw the Democrats increase their House majority and gain the presidency (under Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States and is the only President from New Hampshire. Pierce was a Democrat and a "doughface" who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Pierce took part in the Mexican-American War and became a brigadier general in the Army...
). Although sectionalism remained a huge problem, the parties got a slight boost of stability due to the unity of a bitter presidential campaign. Two small third parties, the Constitutional Unionists and States' Rights parties, quickly collapsed prior to this election, while the anti-slavery Free Soil Party held onto its four seats.
Overall results
| Party | Total seats (change) | Seat percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 157 | +30 | 67.1% |
| Whig Party | 71 | -14 | 30.3% |
| Free Soil Party Free Soil Party The Free Soil Party was a short-lived political party in the United States active in the 1848 and 1852 presidential elections, and in some state elections. It was a third party and a single-issue party that largely appealed to and drew its greatest strength from New York State. The party leadership... |
4 | 0 | 1.7% |
| Independent | 2 | -2 | 0.8% |
| Totals | 234 | +1 | 100% |
California
Note: From statehood to 1864, California's representatives were elected at-large, with the top two vote-getters winning election from 1849 to 1858; in 1860 when California gained a seat in the House the top three vote-getters were elected.| District | Opponent |
|---|---|
| California California California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area... AL |
James A. McDougall James A. McDougall James Alexander McDougall was an American attorney and politician elected to statewide office in two U.S. states, then to the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate... (D) 84.4% Milton S. Latham (D) 15.6% |