United States House election, 1918
Encyclopedia
The U.S. House election, 1918 was an election for the United States House of Representatives
on 1918-11-05 which occurred in the middle of President
Woodrow Wilson
's second term.
With the country now in World War I
(contrary to previous promises by Wilson), and Wilson's personal popularity ebbing, the Republican Party was able to gain 25 seats and take over control of the House from Wilson's Democratic Party. Internal divide among Democratic leadership over aspects related to payment of the war also decreased the unity of the party, which had been the organization's strength during the decade. The Progressive Party also disappeared, with its former members generally becoming Democrats. Minnesota's Farmer-Labor Party, a descendant of populism, also gained its very first seat.
Frederick H. Gillett
(R-Massachusetts
) became Speaker
, and previous speaker Champ Clark (D-Missouri
) became Minority Leader
.
1 One vacancy, Victor L. Berger
, a member of the Socialist Party of America
, whom the House refused to seat.
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...
on 1918-11-05 which occurred in the middle 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...
's second term.
With the country now in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
(contrary to previous promises by Wilson), and Wilson's personal popularity ebbing, the Republican Party was able to gain 25 seats and take over control of the House from Wilson's Democratic Party. Internal divide among Democratic leadership over aspects related to payment of the war also decreased the unity of the party, which had been the organization's strength during the decade. The Progressive Party also disappeared, with its former members generally becoming Democrats. Minnesota's Farmer-Labor Party, a descendant of populism, also gained its very first seat.
Frederick H. Gillett
Frederick H. Gillett
Frederick Huntington Gillett was an American politician during the early 20th century. Frederick H. Gillett was born in Westfield, Massachusetts to Edward Bates Gillett and Lucy Fowler Gillett . He graduated from Amherst College in 1874 and Harvard Law School in 1877. He began the practice of...
(R-Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
) became 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...
, and previous speaker Champ Clark (D-Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
) became Minority Leader
Minority leader of the United States House of Representatives
The House Minority Leader is one of the party leaders of the United States House of Representatives. This title is currently held by Democratic Representative Nancy Pelosi of California....
.
Overall results
| Party | Total seats |
Change | Seat percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republican Party | 240 | 25 | 55.2% |
| Democratic Party | 192 | 22 | 44.2% |
| Prohibition Party | 1 | 0 | 0.2% |
| Farmer-Labor Party Farmer-Labor Party The first modern Farmer–Labor Party in the United States emerged in Minnesota in 1918. Economic dislocation caused by American entry into World War I put agricultural prices and workers' wages into imbalance with rapidly escalating retail prices during the war years, and farmers and workers sought... |
1 | 0.2% | |
| Totals | 4351 | 100.0% |
1 One vacancy, Victor L. Berger
Victor L. Berger
Victor Luitpold Berger was a founding member of the Socialist Party of America and an important and influential Socialist journalist who helped establish the so-called Sewer Socialist movement. The first Socialist elected to the U.S...
, a member of the Socialist Party of America
Socialist Party of America
The Socialist Party of America was a multi-tendency democratic-socialist political party in the United States, formed in 1901 by a merger between the three-year-old Social Democratic Party of America and disaffected elements of the Socialist Labor Party which had split from the main organization...
, whom the House refused to seat.
 |
 |
Alabama
| District | Incumbent | Party | First elected |
Result | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oscar Lee Gray Oscar Lee Gray O.L. Gray was a U.S. Representative from Alabama.Born in Mississippi, Congressman O.L. Gray attended school in Choctaw County. He studied law and graduated from the University of Alabama in 1885 and was admitted to the Alabama bar. Gray taught school and served as Superintendent of Education... |
Democratic | 1914 | Retired Democratic hold |
John McDuffie John McDuffie John McDuffie was born in River Ridge, Alabama in Monroe County on September 25, 1883. He was educated by private tutors. He attended college at Southern University in Greensboro. He later attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute in Auburn, Alabama, where he in graduated in 1904... (D) Unopposed |
California
| District | Incumbent | Party | First elected |
Result | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarence F. Lea Clarence F. Lea Clarence Frederick Lea was a U.S. Representative from California.Born near Highland Springs, California, in southwestern Lake County, Lea attended Lakeport Academy in Lakeport, and Stanford University. He obtained a degree in law from the University of Denver, in Denver, Colorado, in 1898... |
Democratic | 1916 United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1916 The United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1916 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 7, 1916... |
Re-elected | Clarence F. Lea Clarence F. Lea Clarence Frederick Lea was a U.S. Representative from California.Born near Highland Springs, California, in southwestern Lake County, Lea attended Lakeport Academy in Lakeport, and Stanford University. He obtained a degree in law from the University of Denver, in Denver, Colorado, in 1898... (D) (unopposed) |
|
| 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.... |
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) (unopposed) |
|
| Charles F. Curry Charles F. Curry Charles Forrest Curry was a U.S. Representative from California and the father of Charles Forrest Curry, Jr..... |
Republican | 1912 United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1912 The United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1912 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 5, 1912. California gained three seats as a... |
Re-elected | 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) 91.6% Allen K. Gifford (S) 8.4% |
|
| 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) 86.6% William Short (S) 13.4% |
|
| 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 :... |
Republican | 1912 United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1912 The United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1912 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 5, 1912. California gained three seats as a... |
Re-elected | 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) 87% Thomas F. Feeley (S) 13% |
|
| John A. Elston John A. Elston John Arthur Elston was a U.S. Representative from California.Born in Woodland, California, Elston attended the public schools.He graduated from Hesperian College, Woodland, 1892.... |
Republican | 1912 United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1912 The United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1912 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 5, 1912. California gained three seats as a... |
Re-elected | John A. Elston John A. Elston John Arthur Elston was a U.S. Representative from California.Born in Woodland, California, Elston attended the public schools.He graduated from Hesperian College, Woodland, 1892.... (R) 88.4% Luella Twining (S) 11.6% |
|
| 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.... |
Democratic | 1912 United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1912 The United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1912 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 5, 1912. California gained three seats as a... |
Retired Republican gain |
Henry E. Barbour Henry E. Barbour Henry Ellsworth Barbour was a U.S. Representative from California.Born in Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County, New York, Barbour attended the public schools of his native city, the local "Free Academy" at Ogdensburg, Union College at Schenectady, New York, and the law department of George Washington... (R) 52.1% Henry Hawson (D) 47.9% |
|
| 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.... |
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... |
Lost re-election Democratic gain |
Hugh S. Hersman Hugh S. Hersman Hugh Steel Hersman was a U.S. Representative from California.Born in Port Deposit, Maryland, Hersman moved to California with his parents, who settled in Berkeley in 1881.He attended the public schools in California.... (D) 53% Everis A. Hayes (R) 47% |
|
| Charles H. Randall Charles Hiram Randall Charles Hiram Randall , known as Charles Randall, was a member of the U.S. Congress, the California State Assembly and the Los Angeles City Council in the 20th Century.-Biography:... |
Prohibition | 1914 United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1914 The United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1914 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 3, 1914... |
Re-elected | Charles H. Randall (Proh. Prohibition Party The Prohibition Party is a political party in the United States best known for its historic opposition to the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages. It is the oldest existing third party in the US. The party was an integral part of the temperance movement... ) 53% Montaville Flowers (R) 43.3% Grace Silver Henry (S) 3.7% |
|
| Henry Z. Osborne Henry Z. Osborne Henry Zenas Osborne was an American Republican politician.Born in New Lebanon, New York, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives from California and served from March 4, 1917, until his death. Osborne died at age 74 in Los Angeles, California. He is interred in... |
Republican | 1916 United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1916 The United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1916 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 7, 1916... |
Re-elected | Henry Z. Osborne Henry Z. Osborne Henry Zenas Osborne was an American Republican politician.Born in New Lebanon, New York, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives from California and served from March 4, 1917, until his death. Osborne died at age 74 in Los Angeles, California. He is interred in... (R) 88.2% James H. Ryckman (S) 11.8% |
|
| 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.... |
Democratic | 1912 United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1912 The United States House of Representatives elections in California, 1912 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 5, 1912. California gained three seats as a... |
Re-elected | 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) 72.2% N. D. Hamilton (Proh. Prohibition Party The Prohibition Party is a political party in the United States best known for its historic opposition to the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages. It is the oldest existing third party in the US. The party was an integral part of the temperance movement... ) 27.8% |
See also
- 66th United States Congress66th United States CongressThe Sixty-sixth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, comprising the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from March 4, 1919 to March 4, 1921, during the last two years of...
- United States Senate elections, 1918