New York's at-large congressional seat

New York's at-large congressional district
Obsolete district
Created1870
1880
1930
Eliminated1875
1885
1940
Years active1873–1875
1883–1885
1933–1945

On three occasions in New York history, some members of the United States House of Representatives were elected statewide at-large. This was due to an increase of the number of representatives after the previous federal census, and the failure of the State Legislature to re-apportion the congressional districts in time for the next election.

In 1872 and 1882, one representative each was elected for the ensuing term. The Legislature then re-apportioned the congressional districts before the elections in 1874 and 1884.

From 1933 to 1945, two representatives elected at-large sat in the House because the Legislature could not agree on a re-apportionment of the districts. For the election to the 79th United States Congress, which was held in 1944, the congressional districts were finally re-apportioned.

List of members representing the district

1873–1875: one seat

New York gained one seat following the 1870 census.

Representative Party Years Cong
ress 		Electoral history

Lyman Tremain
(Albany) 		Republican March 4, 1873 –
March 3, 1875 		43rd Elected in 1872.
Retired.

1883–1885: one seat

New York gained one seat following the 1880 census.

Representative Party Years Cong
ress 		Electoral history

Henry W. Slocum
(Brooklyn) 		Democratic March 4, 1883 –
March 3, 1885 		48th Elected in 1882.
[data missing]

1933–1945: two seats

New York gained two seats following the 1930 census.

Years Cong
ress 		Seat A Seat B
Representative Party Electoral history Representative Party Electoral history
March 4, 1933 –
January 3, 1935 		73rd
John Fitzgibbons
(Oswego) 		Democratic Elected in 1932.
Retired.
Elmer E. Studley
(Queens) 		Democratic Elected in 1932.
Retired.
January 3, 1935 –
January 3, 1943 		74th
75th
76th
77th
Matthew J. Merritt
(Queens) 		Democratic Elected in 1934.
Re-elected in 1936.
Re-elected in 1938.
Re-elected in 1940.
Re-elected in 1942.
Retired.
Caroline O'Day
(Rye) 		Democratic Elected in 1934.
Re-elected in 1936.
Re-elected in 1938.
Re-elected in 1940.
Retired.
January 3, 1943 –
January 3, 1945 		78th
Winifred C. Stanley
(Buffalo) 		Republican Elected in 1942.
Retired.

References

  • Martis, Kenneth C. (1989). The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
  • Martis, Kenneth C. (1982). The Historical Atlas of United States Congressional Districts. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
  • Congressional Biographical Directory of the United States 1774–present