1838–39 United States House of Representatives elections-Cedar Herald Index

The 1838–39 United States House of Representatives elections were held on various dates in various states between July 2, 1838 and November 5, 1839. Each state set its own date for its elections to the House of Representatives before the first session of the 26th United States Congress convened on December 2, 1839. They occurred during President Martin Van Buren's term. Elections were held for all 242 seats, representing 26 states.

The Panic of 1837 and consequent economic downturn drove Whig Party gains. Van Buren's Democratic Party had lost popularity and Whig policies of economic nationalism appealed to a larger number of voters. Democrats were able, however, to contain the political fallout by blaming banks for the crisis. The Anti-Masonic Party, influential in New York, Pennsylvania, and other Northern states, lost seats, while the Southern Nullifier Party disappeared. Two Virginia representatives were elected on that state's Conservative Party ticket.

1838–39 United States House of Representatives elections

Early business of the new House reflected the close partisan division. When Congress first Convened on December 3, 1839, two contingents of New Jersey representatives-elect, one composed of Democrats and the other of Whigs, arrived and both requested to be seated as members. Charging the Whigs with election fraud and facing loss of control of the House, the Democratic Party majority (119 to 118 Whigs from outside New Jersey) refused to seat all but one Whig. Massachusetts Representative John Quincy Adams presided as "chairman" of the House after the clerk lost control. Two weeks later, when voting for speaker of the House finally commenced, 11 ballots were needed before Robert M. T. Hunter, a compromise Whig candidate, was elected, receiving 119 votes (out of 232 cast). This congress also enacted the first Independent Treasury bill.

1838–39 United States House of Representatives elections

Election summaries

Special elections

There were special elections in 1838 and 1839 to the 25th United States Congress and 26th United States Congress.

1838–39 United States House of Representatives elections

Special elections are listed by date then district.

25th Congress

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| Samuel J. Gholson

| | Democratic

| 1836

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26th Congress

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Alabama

Arkansas

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Connecticut

Connecticut elected its six members April 1, 1839, flipping all six seats from Democratic to Whig.

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1838–39 United States House of Representatives elections

Election summaries

Special elections

25th Congress

|-

|-

| Samuel J. Gholson

| | Democratic

| 1836

|-

|}

26th Congress

|-

|-

|-

|}

Alabama

Arkansas

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|}

Connecticut

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|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

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Delaware

Florida Territory

Georgia

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa Territory

Election summaries

Special elections

25th Congress

|-

|-

| Samuel J. Gholson

| | Democratic

| 1836

|-

|}

26th Congress

|-

|-

|-

|}

Alabama

Arkansas

|-

|}

Connecticut

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|}

Delaware

Florida Territory

Georgia

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa Territory

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