The 1948 United States House of Representatives elections were elections for the United States House of Representatives to elect members to serve in the 81st United States Congress. They were held for the most part on November 2, 1948, while Maine held theirs on September 13. These elections coincided with PresidentHarry S. Truman's election to a full term. Truman had campaigned against a "do-nothing"' Republican Party Congress that had opposed his initiatives and was seen as counterproductive. The Democratic Party regained control of both the House and Senate in this election.[2][3][4] For Democrats, this was their largest gain since 1932.
These were the last elections until 1980 when a member of a political party other than the Democrats, Republicans, or an independent had one or more seats in the chamber. As of 2023[update], this is the last time the Democrats gained more than 50 seats in a U.S. House election.
Incumbent resigned December 31, 1947 to become a New York Supreme Court justice. New member elected February 17, 1948. American Labor gain. Winner later lost re-election; see below.
Incumbent resigned January 6, 1948 to become Governor of Kentucky. New member elected April 17, 1948. Democratic hold. Winner later re-elected to the next term; see below.
Incumbent resigned April 17, 1948 to become Attorney General of Virginia. New member elected November 2, 1948. Democratic hold. Winner also elected to the next term; see below.
Incumbent announced retirement but then died October 28, 1948. New member elected December 4, 1948. Democratic hold. Winner had already been elected to the next term; see below.
Illinois redistricted its at-large seat into an additional geographical district for a total of 26, changing boundaries across the state and moving several seats from downstate into the Chicago suburbs.[13]
Incumbent resigned April 17, 1948 to become Attorney General of Virginia. Democratic hold. Winner was also elected to finish the current term; see above.
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Martis, Kenneth C. (1989). The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress, 1789–1989. Prentice Hall College Div. ISBN0-02-920170-5.