The 1826–27 United States House of Representatives elections were held on various dates in various states between July 3, 1826, and August 30, 1827. Each state set its own date for its elections to the House of Representatives before the first session of the 20th United States Congress convened on December 3, 1827. They occurred during John Quincy Adams's presidency. Elections were held for all 213 seats, representing 24 states.
In these midterm campaigns, the aftershock of the contested 1824 presidential election remained a major issue. The former Democratic-Republican Party had split into two parties, the "Jacksonians," supporting Andrew Jackson (which would later become the Democratic Party) and the "Adams men" or "Anti-Jacksonians," supporters of President John Quincy Adams. Adams's supporters would later come to be known as the National Republican Party. The Jacksonians were able to pick up a slim majority in the House by painting an image of the Adams Men as elitist and of the Jacksonians as the party of the common farmer or artisan. This tactic helped them pick up a number of rural seats.
Incumbent resigned December 26, 1825, when appointed U.S. Senator. New member elected January 21, 1826 and seated February 6, 1826.[1] Jacksonian hold. Winner was not a candidate for election to the next term; see below.
Incumbent resigned January 6, 1826, to become Governor of Maryland. New member elected February 1, 1826 and seated February 7, 1826.[1] Jacksonian gain. Winner was later re-elected to the next term; see below.
Incumbent died January 12, 1826. New member elected March 14, 1826 and seated April 3, 1826.[1] Anti-Jacksonian gain. Winner later lost re-election to the next term; see below.
Incumbent died March 14, 1826. New member elected July 10, 1826 and seated December 4, 1826.[1] Jacksonian hold. Winner was later re-elected to the next term; see below.
Incumbent resigned May 25, 1826. New member elected October 10, 1826 and seated December 4, 1826. Anti-Jacksonian hold. Winner was not a candidate for the next term; see below.
Incumbent resigned before October 10, 1826. New member elected October 10, 1826 and seated December 4, 1826.[1] Anti-Jacksonian gain. Winner lost election to the next term; see below.
Incumbent died August 14, 1826. New member elected October 10, 1826 and seated December 4, 1826.[1] Jacksonian hold. Winner was not elected to the next term; see below.
Incumbent resigned May 1, 1826. New member elected October 10, 1826 and seated December 4, 1826.[1] Jacksonian hold. Winner was also elected to the next term; see below.
Incumbent resigned March 18, 1826. New member elected November 3, 1826 and seated December 4, 1826.[1] Jacksonian hold. Winner was later re-elected to the next term; see below.
Incumbent died August 13, 1826. New member elected November 6, 1826 and seated December 7, 1826.[1] Jacksonian hold. Winner was later re-elected to the next term; see below.
Incumbent died August 25, 1826. New member elected November 20, 1826 and seated December 11, 1826.[1] Anti-Jacksonian gain. Winner later lost re-election to the next term; see below.
Incumbent resigned in January 1826. New member elected November 27, 1826 and seated December 4, 1826.[1] Jacksonian gain. Winner had already been elected to the next term; see below.
Incumbent resigned some time in 1827 before the assembling of Congress after being elected to the US Senate. New member elected October 2, 1827 and seated December 3, 1827.[2] Anti-Jacksonian gain.
General election ended in a tie vote and the seat remained vacant. New member elected October 9, 1827 and seated January 14, 1828.[2] Anti-Jacksonian gain.
Incumbent resigned November 7, 1827, to become Governor of Georgia. New member elected November 17, 1827 and seated January 14, 1828.[2] Jacksonian hold.
Incumbent died September 20, 1827. New member elected November 5–7, 1827 but initial winner declined the seat to avoid an election dispute. New member elected December 22, 1827 and seated January 11, 1828.[2] Jacksonian gain.
Georgia elected its members October 2, 1826. Georgia switched to using districts for this election. Two incumbents, James Meriwether and George Cary, did not run for re-election.
Maine elected its members September 8, 1826. It required a majority for election, which was not met in the 7th district, requiring additional elections December 18, 1826, April 2, and September 27, 1827.
Massachusetts elected its members November 6, 1826. It required a majority for election, which was not met on the first vote in 3 districts requiring additional elections held March 5 and May 14, 1827.
Soon after the election, Samuel P. Carson (Jacksonian), the winner of the race in the 12th district, challenged his opponent, Robert B. Vance (Anti-Jacksonian) to a duel over a comment made during the campaign about Carson's father. Vance was mortally wounded in the duel. Carson left immediately afterwards to go to Washington.[5]
Incumbent resigned before October 10, 1826. New member not elected due to tie vote between the top two candidates, leading to an October 9, 1827 special election. Jacksonian loss.
Vermont elected its members September 5, 1826. It required a majority for election, which was not met on the first vote in two districts, requiring additional elections held December 4, 1826, and February 5, 1827.
^Vermont required a majority for election, which was not met on the first vote in 2 districts requiring additional elections held December 4, 1826, and February 5, 1827.
^Maine required a majority for election, which was not met in the 7th district, requiring additional elections December 18, 1826, April 2, and September 27, 1827.
^Massachusetts required a majority for election, which was not met on the first vote in 3 districts requiring additional elections held March 5 and May 14, 1827.
