1861 Iowa Senate election

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In the 1861 Iowa State Senate elections, Iowa voters elected state senators to serve in the ninth Iowa General Assembly. Following the expansion of the Iowa Senate from 43 to 49 seats in 1861, elections were held for 25 of the state senate's 49 seats.[f] State senators serve four-year terms in the Iowa State Senate.

Quick facts 25 out of 49 seats in the Iowa State Senate 25 seats needed for a majority, Majority party ...
1861 Iowa Senate election
← 1859
1861
1863 â†’
25 out of 49 seats in the Iowa State Senate
25 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Republican Democratic
Last election 22 21
Seats before 22[a] 20[a]
Seats after 33[b] 16[b]
Seat change Increase11 Decrease4
President of the Iowa Senate[c] before election

Nicholas J. Rusch[d]
Republican

 Elected President of the Iowa Senate[c]

John R. Needham[e]
Republican

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The general election took place in 1861.[14]

Following the previous election in 1859, Republicans had control of the Iowa Senate with 22 seats to Democrats' 21 seats. However, four changes occurred during the eighth general assembly. In the ninth district, Republican Senator Alvin Saunders resigned on May 14, 1861, causing a vacancy in his seat.[15] Republican Leroy G. Palmer succeeded Senator Saunders, holding the seat for the Republicans.[16] In the tenth district, Republican Senator James Falconer Wilson resigned on October 7, 1861, causing a vacancy in his seat.[17] The tenth district seat was left vacant until a special election in 1861. In the fourteenth district, Democratic Senator Andrew Oliphant Patterson resigned on May 14, 1861, causing a vacancy in his seat.[18] Republican Joseph A. Green succeeded Senator Patterson, flipping the seat to Republican control.[19] In the thirty-fifth district, Republican Senator Thomas Drummond resigned on May 14, 1861, causing a vacancy in his seat.[20] Republican Joseph Dysart succeeded Senator Drummond, holding the seat for the Republicans.[21] Therefore, by election day in 1861, the Republicans held 22 seats, the Democrats held 20 seats, and one seat was vacant (the seat that had been held by Republican Senator James F. Wilson).

To claim control of the chamber from Republicans, the Democrats needed to net five Senate seats.

Republicans maintained control of the Iowa State Senate following the election with the balance of power shifting to Republicans holding 33 seats and Democrats having 16 seats (a net gain of 11 seats for Republicans).[b]

Summary of results

  • Note: The holdover Senators not up for re-election are not listed on this table.
More information Senate District, Incumbent ...
Senate District Incumbent Party Elected Senator Party Outcome
1st[g] Valentine Buechel Dem Frederick Hesser Dem Dem Hold
John Walker Rankin Rep George Washington McCrary Rep Rep Hold
2nd[h] Gideon Smith Bailey Dem Abner Harrison McCrary Rep Rep Gain
5th[i] Newly created subdistrict Elijah F. Esteb Dem Dem Gain
8th[j] William Findlay Coolbaugh Dem John G. Foote Rep Rep Gain
9th[k] Alvin Saunders[l] Rep Theron Webb Woolson Rep Rep Hold
Leroy G. Palmer[m] Rep
10th[n] James Falconer Wilson[o] Rep Joshua Monroe Shaffer Rep Rep Hold
Vacancy upon Senator Wilson's resignation.
11th[p] John A. Johnson Dem Jacob W. Dixon Rep Rep Gain
12th[q] Daniel A. Anderson Rep Warren S. Dungan Rep Rep Hold
13th[r] Samuel Reiner Rep James Simpson Hurley Rep Rep Hold
14th[s] Andrew Oliphant Patterson[t] Dem William G. Woodward Rep Rep Hold
Joseph A. Green[u] Rep
15th[v][w] William B. Lewis[x] Dem William B. Lewis[x] Rep Rep Gain
16th[y] Oliver P. Sherraden Rep Isaac Pearl Teter Rep Rep Hold
18th[z] Jairus Edward Neal Dem Jairus Edward Neal Dem Dem Hold
19th[aa] John W. Thompson Rep Benjamin F. Gue Rep Rep Hold
Newly created subdistrict Joseph B. Leake Rep Rep Gain
20th[ab] George M. Davis Rep Norman Boardman Rep Rep Hold
23rd[ac] William P. Davis Rep Joshua H. Hatch Rep Rep Hold
25th[ad] Joseph Mann Dem William H. Holmes Rep Rep Gain
27th[ae] David S. Wilson Dem John D. Jennings Dem Dem Hold
29th[af] Newly created subdistrict John Kern Dem Dem Gain
30th[ag] Marquis Lafayette McPherson Rep Marquis Lafayette McPherson Rep Rep Hold
31st[ah] William H.M. Pusey Dem James Redfield Rep Rep Gain
35th[ai] Thomas Drummond[aj] Rep Joseph Dysart[ak] Rep Rep Hold
Vacancy upon Senator Drummond's resignation.
40th[al] Newly created subdistrict George W. Howard Rep Rep Gain
42nd[am] Newly created district Martin V. Burdick Rep Rep Gain
43rd[an] Newly created district Sherman Griswold Smith Rep Rep Gain
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Source:[29]

  1. [a]
    Following the 1859 Iowa Senate election, Republicans held 22 seats to Democrats' 21. However, four changes occurred during the eighth general assembly. In the ninth district, Republican Senator Alvin Saunders resigned on May 14, 1861, causing a vacancy in his seat.[1] Republican Leroy G. Palmer succeeded Senator Saunders, holding the seat for the Republicans.[2] In the tenth district, Republican Senator Wilson resigned on October 7, 1861, causing a vacancy in his seat.[3] The tenth district seat was left vacant until a special election in 1861. In the fourteenth district, Democratic Senator Andrew Oliphant Patterson resigned on May 14, 1861, causing a vacancy in his seat.[4] Republican Joseph A. Green succeeded Senator Patterson, flipping the seat to Republican control.[5] In the thirty-fifth district, Republican Senator Thomas Drummond resigned on May 14, 1861, causing a vacancy in his seat.[6] Republican Joseph Dysart succeeded Senator Drummond, holding the seat for the Republicans.[7] Therefore, by election day in 1861, the Republicans held 22 seats, the Democrats held 20 seats, and one seat was vacant (the seat that had been held by Republican Senator James F. Wilson).
  2. [b]
    The Iowa Senate expanded from 43 seats to 49 seats following the 1861 general election.[8]
  3. [c]
    Article IV, section 18, of the Constitution of Iowa at that time established that the Lieutenant Governor of Iowa shall perform the duties of the President of the Senate. The Lieutenant Governor performed the duties of President of the Senate from January 11, 1858 through January 14, 1991. As of 1991, duties of Iowa's Lieutenant Governor no longer include presiding over the state Senate.[9]
  4. [d]
    As Lieutenant Governor, Nicholas J. Rusch was the ninth President of the Iowa Senate. He served during the eighth Iowa General Assembly, succeeding Republican Oran Faville in that leadership position.[10]
  5. [e]
    As the next Lieutenant Governor, John R. Needham was the tenth President of the Iowa Senate. He served during the ninth Iowa General Assembly, succeeding Republican Nicholas J. Rusch in that leadership position.[12]
  6. [f]
    At the time, the Iowa Senate had several multi-member districts.[13]
  7. [g]
    The first was a 2-member district at the time.
  8. [h]
    The second district was a 1-member district at the time.
  9. [i]
    The fifth district transitioned from a 1- to 2-member district at the time. Senator Taylor was a holdover incumbent not up for re-election.
  10. [j]
    The eighth district was a 1-member district at the time.
  11. [k]
    The ninth district was a 1-member district at the time.
  12. [l]
    In the ninth district, Republican Senator Alvin Saunders resigned on May 14, 1861, causing a vacancy in his seat. Republican Leroy G. Palmer succeeded Senator Saunders.[22]
  13. [m]
    Republican Leroy G. Palmer succeeded Senator Saunders, holding the seat for the Republicans.[23]
  14. [n]
    The tenth district was a 1-member district at the time.
  15. [o]
    Senator Wilson resigned on October 7, 1861, causing a vacancy in his seat.[24]
  16. [p]
    The eleventh district was a 1-member district at the time.
  17. [q]
    The twelfth district was a 1-member district at the time.
  18. [r]
    The thirteenth district was a 1-member district at the time.
  19. [s]
    The fourteenth district was a 1-member district at the time.
  20. [t]
    In the fourteenth district, Democratic Senator Andrew Oliphant Patterson resigned on May 14, 1861, causing a vacancy in his seat.[25]
  21. [u]
    Republican Joseph A. Green succeeded Senator Patterson, flipping the seat to Republican control.[26]
  22. [v]
    The fifteenth district was a 1-member district at the time.
  23. [w]
    There was not an election in this district. Instead, the incumbent switched political parties.
  24. [x]
    Senator Lewis was an incumbent holdover senator not up for re-election. Instead, he switched parties from Democrat to Republican.
  25. [y]
    The sixteenth district was a 1-member district at the time.
  26. [z]
    The eighteenth district was a 1-member district at the time.
  27. [aa]
    The nineteenth district transitioned from a 1- to 2-member district at the time.
  28. [ab]
    The twentieth district was a 1-member district at the time.
  29. [ac]
    The twenty-third district was a 1-member district at the time.
  30. [ad]
    The twenty-fifth district was a 1-member district at the time.
  31. [ae]
    The twenty-seventh district was a 2-member district at the time. Senator Trumbull was a holdover incumbent not up for re-election.
  32. [af]
    The twenty-ninth district transitioned from a 1- to 2-member district at the time. Senator Henderson was a holdover incumbent not up for re-election.
  33. [ag]
    The thirtieth district was a 1-member district at the time.
  34. [ah]
    The thirty-first district was a 1-member district at the time.
  35. [ai]
    The thirty-fifth district was a 1-member district at the time.
  36. [aj]
    In the thirty-fifth district, Republican Senator Thomas Drummond resigned on May 14, 1861, causing a vacancy in his seat.[27]
  37. [ak]
    Republican Joseph Dysart succeeded Senator Drummond, holding the seat for the Republicans.[28]
  38. [al]
    The fortieth district transitioned from a 1- to 2-member district at the time. Senator Powers was a holdover incumbent not up for re-election.
  39. [am]
    The forty-second district was a newly created 1-member district at the time.
  40. [an]
    The forty-third district was a newly created 1-member district at the time.

Detailed results

See also

References

External links

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