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Special elections to the 117th United States Congress (2021-2022)

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Special elections to the 117th Congress, 2021-2022
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Special elections to theUnited States Congress are required in the event of vacancies in theU.S. Senate orU.S. House of Representatives. This page is a compilation of allspecial elections to the117th Congress in 2021-2022.

In 2022,17 special elections were held:


Sixty-seven special elections to the United States Congress were called during the113th through 117th Congresses. During that time, special elections were called for 23 seats vacated by Democrats and 44 vacated by Republicans.

Special elections to Congress occur when a legislator resigns or is removed from office. Depending on the specificstate laws governing vacancies, a state can either hold an election for U.S. Senate within the same calendar year or wait until the next regularly scheduled election. For the U.S. House,vacancies are filled through a special election.

Upcoming special elections

Elections are listed below in chronological order of the general election.

House

Senate

Special election results

House

Results of special elections to the 117th Congress (House)
RaceElection dateIncumbentWinnerElection MOVPrevious election MOV2020 Presidential election MOV[1]
Alaska's At-Large Congressional DistrictAugust 16, 2022Republican PartyDon YoungDemocratic PartyMary PeltolaD+3R+9R+10
California's 22nd Congressional DistrictJune 7, 2022Republican PartyDevin NunesRepublican PartyConnie ConwayR+24R+8R+6
Florida's 20th Congressional DistrictJanuary 11, 2022Democratic PartyAlcee HastingsDemocratic PartySheila Cherfilus-McCormickD+59D+57D+55
Indiana's 2nd Congressional DistrictNovember 8, 2022Republican PartyJackie WalorskiRepublican PartyRudy YakymR+32.2R+23R+20
Louisiana's 2nd Congressional DistrictApril 24, 2021Democratic PartyCedric RichmondDemocratic PartyTroy CarterD+10[2]D+49D+52
Louisiana's 5th Congressional DistrictMarch 20, 2021Republican PartyRalph Abraham[3]Republican PartyJulia LetlowR+38R+24[4]R+30
Minnesota's 1st Congressional DistrictAugust 9, 2022Republican PartyJim HagedornRepublican PartyBrad FinstadR+4R+3R+10
Nebraska's 1st Congressional DistrictJune 28, 2022Republican PartyJeffrey FortenberryRepublican PartyMike FloodR+6R+22R+15
New Mexico's 1st Congressional DistrictJune 1, 2021Democratic PartyDebra HaalandDemocratic PartyMelanie Ann StansburyD+30D+16D+23
New York's 19th Congressional DistrictAugust 23, 2022Democratic PartyAntonio DelgadoDemocratic PartyPat RyanD+2D+12D+2
New York's 23rd Congressional DistrictAugust 23, 2022Republican PartyTom ReedRepublican PartyJoe SempolinskiR+7R+17R+11
Texas' 6th Congressional DistrictJuly 27, 2021Republican PartyRonald WrightRepublican PartyJake EllzeyR+6[5]R+9R+8
Texas' 34th Congressional DistrictJune 14, 2022Democratic PartyFilemon VelaRepublican PartyMayra FloresR+8D+14D+4
Ohio's 11th Congressional DistrictNovember 2, 2021Democratic PartyMarcia FudgeDemocratic PartyShontel BrownD+58D+60D+61
Ohio's 15th Congressional DistrictNovember 2, 2021Republican PartySteve StiversRepublican PartyMike CareyR+17R+27R+14

Senate

Results of special elections to the 117th Congress (Senate)
RaceElection dateIncumbentWinnerElection MOVPrevious election MOV2020 Presidential election MOV (statewide)[6]
California SenateNovember 8, 2022Democratic PartyKamala HarrisDemocratic PartyAlex PadillaD+17.6D+23D+55
Oklahoma SenateNovember 8, 2022Republican PartyJim InhofeRepublican PartyMarkwayne MullinR+26.6R+30R+7


Special elections that resulted in a partisan flip

Alaska's At-Large Congressional District

See also:United States House of Representatives special election in Alaska, 2022

Mary Peltola (D) won the special election to fillAlaska's At-Large Congressional District in theU.S. House on August 16, 2022.[7]Sarah Palin (R) andNicholas Begich III (R) also ran.Al Gross (I) advanced from the June 11top-four primary, but hewithdrew from the race on June 20.[8]

This election usedranked-choice voting.Click here to learn more about Alaska's voting system, which voters approved viaballot measure in 2020.

The special election filled the vacancy left byDon Young (R), who died on March 18, 2022.[9]

Texas' 34th Congressional District

Mayra Flores (R) defeatedDan Sanchez (D),Rene Coronado (D), andJuana Cantu-Cabrera (R) in a special general election forTexas' 34th Congressional District on June 14, 2022. The previous incumbent,Filemon Vela (D), resigned on March 31, 2022.[10]

Special elections that did not change partisan control

California's 22nd Congressional District

See also:California's 22nd Congressional District special election, 2022

A special election to fill the seat representingCalifornia's 22nd Congressional District in theU.S. House was held in 2022. A top-two primary was scheduled forApril 5, 2022. The general election was heldJune 7, 2022. The filing deadline was February 10, 2022.[11]

The special election filled the vacancy left byDevin Nunes (R), who resigned his seat on December 31, 2021, to become CEO of former PresidentDonald Trump's (R) media company, Trump Media & Technology Group.[12]

California Senate

See also:United States Senate special election in California, 2022

On November 8, 2022, there was a special election to fill the rest of the six-year term thatKamala Harris (D) was elected to in2016. A primary was scheduled for June 7, 2022. The filing deadline was March 11, 2022.[13][14]

Florida's 20th Congressional District

See also:Florida's 20th Congressional District special election, 2022

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D) won the special election to fill the seat representingFlorida's 20th Congressional District in theU.S. House on January 11, 2022, defeatingJason Mariner (R) with 79% of the vote to Mariner's 20%. Primaries were scheduled for November 2, 2021. The filing deadline to qualify via signature petitions was August 3, 2021, and the filing deadline to qualify via qualifying fee was August 10, 2021.[15][16] The special election filled the vacancy left byAlcee Hastings (D), who died on April 6, 2021.[17]

Indiana's 2nd Congressional District

See also:Indiana's 2nd Congressional District special election, 2022

A special election to fill the seat representingIndiana's 2nd Congressional District in theU.S. House was held in 2022. Parties nominated candidates to the general election ballot. The general election was held November 8, 2022. The filing deadline was August 26, 2022.[18]

The special election filled the vacancy left byJackie Walorski (R), who died in a car accident on August 3, 2022.[19]

Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District

See also:Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District special election, 2021

Troy Carter (D) defeatedKaren Peterson (D) in a special election to representLouisiana's 2nd Congressional District onApril 24, 2021, with 55.2% of the vote to Peterson's 44.8%. Carter and Peterson received the most votes in theprimary election held on March 20, 2021. Carter received 36% of the vote and Peterson received 23% of the vote. Thirteen other candidates competed in the race.

Carter representedLouisiana State Senate District 7, and Peterson representedLouisiana State Senate District 5. Carter assumed office January 11, 2016, and Peterson assumed office in February 2010. EMILY's List,Stacey Abrams (D), andGary Chambers (D), who finished third in theMarch 20 primary, endorsed Peterson.Cedric Richmond (D), the district's former representative, andJim Clyburn (D) endorsed Carter.[20] Clickhere to see more endorsements.

Both Carter and Peterson emphasized their experience as lawmakers. Carter said, "Throughout my career I’ve remained laser focused on the simple ways to improve people’s day to day lives – like guaranteeing access to COVID-19 19 [sic] vaccine, equality pay for women, criminal justice reform and fighting for a living wage." Peterson said "[a]fter Katrina hit, I told the truth, held people accountable, and fought to help our families and our businesses rebuild. And that’s what I’ll do in Congress to lead us out of this pandemic."[21]

Carter emphasized his relationship with Richmond, who was an advisor to PresidentJoe Biden (D) at the time of the election. "As a new congressman," Carter said, "I would have the ear of the guy who has the ear of the President of the United States of America." Peterson focused on Abrams' endorsement of her and the need for more women in elected office, saying “It is time for women to have a seat at the table."[22]

Both candidates supported legalizing recreational marijuana, ending cash bail, forgiving student debt loans for up to $50,000, and a moratorium on new oil and gas leases on federal land and water. Both supported increasing the federal minimum wage, but disagreed on what it should be raised to. Carter supported raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour, while Peterson said she supported raising it to $20 per hour. The candidates also differed on health care policy, with Carter supporting a public option allowing people to choose between a government-funded plan and private insurance and Peterson supporting a Medicare for All universal health care plan.[23]

Three election forecasters ratedLouisiana's 2nd Congressional DistrictSolid Democratic during the 2020 general election. In theNovember 3, 2020, election,Cedric Richmond (D) won with 63.9% of the vote. Richmond was first elected in 2010. A Democrat has represented the 2nd District continuously since 2000 except from 2009-2011. In 2008, Republican Joseph Cao defeated William J. Jefferson. Cao lost his bid for re-election to Richmond in 2010.

The special election filled the vacancy left by Richmond. Richmond resigned from the House on January 15, 2021, after president-elect Biden announced Richmond would join his administration as a senior adviser to the president and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement on November 17, 2020. Neither of these positions require Senate confirmation.[24]

Louisiana's 5th Congressional District

See also:Louisiana's 5th Congressional District special election, 2021

Julia Letlow (R) won the special primary election inLouisiana's 5th Congressional District onMarch 20, 2021 with 64.5% of the vote. The special election filled the vacancy left byLuke Letlow (R), who died before being seated in the117th Congress from complications related toCOVID-19.[25]

Candy Christophe (D) andJulia Letlow (R) led the field in media coverage leading up to the election. Christophe, the only Democratic candidate running in the primary, has worked as a business owner and social worker.[26] Letlow, the widow of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, has worked in marketing and as an administrator at the University of Louisiana Monroe and Tulane University.[27] To read more about the candidates’ key campaign messages,click here.

Chad Conerly (R),Allen Guillory Sr. (R),Robert Lansden (R),Jaycee Magnuson (R),Horace Melton (R),Richard Pannell (R),Sancha Smith (R),Errol Victor (R),Jim Davis (I), andM.V. Mendoza (I) also ran.

Before 2021, Louisiana’s 5th was represented byRalph Abraham (R), who won re-election in the2018 nonpartisan primary with 67% of the vote toJessee Carlton Fleenor’s (D) 30%. In the2020 presidential election,Donald Trump (R) defeatedJoe Biden (D) 65% to 34% in the district.[28] Louisiana's 5th was last represented by a Democrat in 2004, when Rep.Rodney Alexander (R) changed his partisan affiliation from Democratic to Republican.[29]

Christophe previously ran in the2020 primary election in Louisiana’s 5th. Luke Letlow andLance Harris (R) advanced to the general election with 33.1% and 16.6% of the vote, respectively. Christophe received 16.4% of the vote. Luke Letlow won therunoff election against Harris by 24% of the vote. Letlow died from complications related toCOVID-19 on December 29, 2020, five days before the117th Congress was sworn in on January 3, 2021.

As of November 26, 2025, 17special elections have been called during the117th Congress. From the113th Congress to the116th Congress, 50 special elections were held. For more data on historical congressional special elections,click here. Two of the special elections called for the117th Congress were taking place in Louisiana, in the5th Congressional District and the2nd Congressional District. Louisiana's 5th Congressional District election andTexas' 6th Congressional District election were both called to fill vacancies left by politicians who died from complications related toCOVID-19.

Louisiana elections use theLouisiana majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50% of the vote. If no candidate does, the top two vote recipients from the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation.

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, seethis article. If necessary, the general election was scheduled for April 24, 2021.[30]

Minnesota's 1st Congressional District

See also:Minnesota's 1st Congressional District special election, 2022

A special election to fill the seat representingMinnesota's 1st Congressional District in theU.S. House was held in 2022. Primaries were scheduled for May 24, 2022. The general election was held August 9, 2022. The filing deadline was March 15, 2022.[31]

The special election filled the vacancy left byJim Hagedorn (R), who died while in office on February 17, 2022.[32]

Nebraska's 1st Congressional District

See also:Nebraska's 1st Congressional District special election, 2022

A special general election to fill the seat representingNebraska's 1st Congressional District in theU.S. House was held on June 28, 2022.

The Democratic and Republican parties nominated candidates directly rather than holding primaries. Candidates could also qualify for the ballot by filing petitions. The filing deadline passed on April 22, 2022.[33]

The special election filled the vacancy left byJeffrey Fortenberry (R). Fortenberry resigned from the U.S. House on March 31, 2022, after being convicted of one count of scheming to falsify and conceal material facts and two counts of making false statements to federal investigators.[34][35]

New Mexico's 1st Congressional District

See also:New Mexico's 1st Congressional District special election, 2021

Melanie Ann Stansbury (D) defeatedMark Moores (R) and four other candidates inNew Mexico's 1st Congressional District special election on June 1, 2021. The election was called following incumbentDebra Haaland’s (D) confirmation assecretary of the interior for the Biden administration on March 15, 2021.[36] Stansbury received 60% of the vote to Moores' 36%. No other candidate received more than 5% of the vote.[37]

The Democratic Party nominated Stansbury at a convention on March 31.[38] The Republican Party nominated Moores at a convention on March 27.[39]Aubrey Dunn (I),Christopher Manning (L), write-inLaura Olivas (I), and write-inRobert Ornelas (I) also ran in the election.

Haaland was first elected to represent New Mexico’s 1st in2018. She won re-election in2020 againstMichelle Garcia Holmes (R) 58.2% to 41.8%. New Mexico's 1st was ratedSolid Democratic during the 2020 general election. The district last elected a Republican in 2006, whenHeather Wilson (R) was re-elected. In the2020 presidential election,Joe Biden (D) defeatedDonald Trump (R) in the district 60.2% to 37.4%.[40]

The outcome of this race affected partisan control of theU.S. House of Representatives in the117th Congress. At the time of the election, Democrats had a 219 to 211 majority over Republicans. Five seats were vacant. As of November 26, 2025, 17special elections have been called during the117th Congress. From the113th Congress to the116th Congress, 50 special elections were held. For more data on historical congressional special elections,click here.

New York's 19th District Congressional District

See also:New York's 19th Congressional District special election, 2022

A special election to fill the seat representingNew York's 19th Congressional District in theU.S. House was held in 2022. The general election was held August 23, 2022. The filing deadline was June 14, 2022.[41]

The special election filled the vacancy left byAntonio Delgado (D), who resigned after Gov.Kathy Hochul (D) selected him as lieutenant governor.

New York's 23rd District Congressional District

See also:New York's 19th Congressional District special election, 2022

A special election to fill the seat representingNew York's 23rd Congressional District in theU.S. House was held in 2022. The general election was held August 23, 2022. The filing deadline was June 14, 2022.[41]

The special election filled the vacancy left byTom Reed (R), who resigned on May 10, 2022, after previously announcing he would not run for re-election at the end of his term.

Ohio's 11th Congressional District

See also:Ohio's 11th Congressional District special election, 2021

Shontel Brown (D) defeatedLaverne Gore (R) in a special election to fill the seat representingOhio's 11th Congressional District in theU.S. House on November 2, 2021. Brown received 81.7 percent of the vote and Gore received 18.3 percent of the vote. Primaries were scheduled for August 3, 2021. The general election was held November 2, 2021. The filing deadline was May 5, 2021.[42]

The special election was called afterMarcia Fudge (D-Ohio) was confirmed as secretary of housing and urban development inPresident Joe Biden's (D) administration. TheSenate voted 66-34 to confirm Fudge on March 10, 2021.[43]

Fudge's district,Ohio's 11th Congressional District, was ratedSolid Democratic during the 2020 general election.

Ohio's 15th Congressional District

See also:Ohio's 15th Congressional District special election, 2021

Mike Carey (R) defeatedAllison Russo (D) to win the special election inOhio's 15th Congressional District in theU.S. House. Carey and Russo won their respective primaries on August 3, 2021, to advance to the special general election on November 2, 2021.[44] The filing deadline was May 17, 2021.[45]

The special election filled the vacancy left bySteve Stivers (R), who resigned to become the President and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, effective May 16, 2021.[46]

Oklahoma Senate

See also:United States Senate special election in Oklahoma, 2022

On November 8, 2022, there was a special election to fill the rest of the six-year term thatJim Inhofe (R) was elected to in2020. Primaries were scheduled for June 28, 2022, and primary runoffs were scheduled for August 23, 2022.[47][48] The filing deadline was April 15, 2022.[49]

The special election filled the vacancy left by Inhofe, who announced his plan to resign effective January 3, 2023, in order to spend time with family.[50][51]

Texas' 6th Congressional District

See also:Texas' 6th Congressional District special election, 2021

Jake Ellzey (R) defeatedSusan Wright (R) in a July 27, 2021, special runoff election to fill the vacancy inTexas' 6th Congressional District.[52] With 98% of precincts reporting, Ellzey received 53% of the vote to Wright's 47%.[53] Both runoff candidates were Republicans. The seat did not change party control as a result of the special election.

The two advanced from a 23-candidate special election on May 1, 2021.[54] Wright received 19.2% of the vote, while Ellzey received 13.8% of the vote.

The previous incumbent,Ronald Wright (R),died from COVID-19 related complications on February 7, 2021. Susan Wright is Ronald Wright's widow. Former PresidentDonald Trump (R)endorsed her on April 26.[55] Former Texas Gov.Rick Perry (R), who served in Trump's cabinet, endorsed Ellzey.[56]

Patrick Svitek ofThe Texas Tribune reported that in statements and interviews in the days following the special election, the candidates "[agreed] that they do not have many — if any — policy differences." In an interview with Mark Davis, a conservative radio host based in Texas, Wright said that she and Ellzey differed more in style than on policy and that the runoff would be about who voters trust more to fight for them in Congress. In his interview with Davis, Ellzey blamed any divisiveness in the election onClub for Growth, which ran ads against Ellzey. Following the special election,David McIntosh, president of the Club for Growth, called on Ellzey to drop out of the race and endorse Wright.[57][58]

The district was more competitive in both presidential and congressional elections from 2012 to 2020. In 2020,Donald Trump (R) won the district 51% to 48%, running behind Wright, who won 53% to 44%. In 2016, Trump won the district 54% to 42%, while then-Rep. Joe Barton (R) won 58% to 39%. In 2012,Mitt Romney (R) won the district 58% to 41% while Joe Barton won re-election 58% to 39%. Midterm elections in the district followed the same trend. In 2018, Wright won re-election 53% to 45%, while Barton won 61% to 36% in 2014.

Special elections to fill Biden administration appointment vacancies

The following special elections were called to fill vacancies opened byBiden administration appointments.

Special elections to the 117th Congress to fill Biden administration appointee vacancies
DistrictIncumbentElection date
New Mexico's 1st Congressional DistrictDebra Haaland (D)June 1, 2021
Ohio's 11th Congressional DistrictMarcia Fudge (D)November 2, 2021

Historical election data

Special elections, 2013-2022

From 2013 to 2022, 67 special elections to the United States Congress were called during the 113th through 117th Congresses. During that time, special elections were called for 23 seats vacated by Democrats and 44 vacated by Republicans.

The table below details how many congressional seats changed parties as the result of a special election between 2013 and 2022. The numbers on the left side of the table reflect how many vacant seats were originally held by each party, while the numbers on the right side of the table show how many vacant seats each party won in special elections.

Congressional special election vacancies and results, 113th Congress to 117th Congress
CongressTotal elections heldVacancies before electionsSeats held after electionsNet change
Democratic Party DemocratsRepublican Party RepublicansDemocratic Party DemocratsRepublican Party Republicans
117th Congress17710710No change
116th Congress103746+1D, -1R
115th Congress1741389+4 D, -4 R
114th Congress72525No change
113th Congress167979No change
Averages134857N/A


U.S. Senate special election partisan change from special elections, 113th Congress to 117th Congress
PartyAs of special electionAfter special election
Democratic PartyDemocrats58
Republican PartyRepublicans74
Total1212
U.S. House special election partisan change from special elections, 113th Congress to 117th Congress
PartyAs of special electionAfter special election
Democratic PartyDemocrats1820
Republican PartyRepublicans3735
Total5555


To see a list of all the Congressional special elections referenced in the table above, click [show] at the right.
 
Results of special elections to the 113th through 117th Congress
RaceElection dateIncumbentWinnerElection MOVPrevious election MOV
Illinois' 2nd Congressional DistrictApril 9, 2013Democratic PartyJesse L. Jackson, Jr.Democratic PartyRobin KellyD+49D+40
South Carolina's 1st Congressional DistrictMay 7, 2013Republican PartyTim ScottRepublican PartyMark SanfordR+9R+26
Missouri's 8th Congressional DistrictJune 4, 2013Republican PartyJo Ann EmersonRepublican PartyJason SmithR+40R+47
U.S. Senate in MassachusettsJune 25, 2013Democratic PartyJohn KerryDemocratic PartyEd MarkeyD+10D+34
U.S. Senate in New JerseyOctober 16, 2013Democratic PartyFrank LautenbergDemocratic PartyCory BookerD+11D+14
Louisiana's 5th Congressional DistrictNovember 16, 2013Republican PartyRodney AlexanderRepublican PartyVance McAllisterR+19[59]R+63
Massachusetts' 5th Congressional DistrictDecember 10, 2013Democratic PartyEd MarkeyDemocratic PartyKatherine ClarkD+34D+23
Alabama's 1st Congressional DistrictDecember 17, 2013Republican PartyJo BonnerRepublican PartyBradley ByrneR+41R+98[60]
Florida's 13th Congressional DistrictMarch 11, 2014Republican PartyC. W. Bill YoungRepublican PartyDavid JollyR+2R+15
Florida's 19th Congressional DistrictJune 24, 2014Republican PartyTrey RadelRepublican PartyCurt ClawsonR+38R+26
U.S. Senate in HawaiiNovember 4, 2014Democratic PartyDaniel InouyeDemocratic PartyBrian SchatzD+40D+25
U.S. Senate in South CarolinaNovember 4, 2014Republican PartyJim DeMintRepublican PartyTim ScottR+24R+34
North Carolina's 12th Congressional DistrictNovember 4, 2014Democratic PartyMelvin WattDemocratic PartyAlma AdamsD+51D+59
U.S. Senate in OklahomaNovember 4, 2014Republican PartyTom CoburnRepublican PartyJames LankfordR+39R+45
Virginia's 7th Congressional DistrictNovember 4, 2014Republican PartyEric CantorRepublican PartyDavid BratR+24R+17
New Jersey's 1st Congressional DistrictNovember 4, 2014Democratic PartyRob AndrewsDemocratic PartyDonald NorcrossD+18D+38
New York's 11th Congressional DistrictMay 5, 2015Republican PartyMichael GrimmRepublican PartyDaniel DonovanR+19R+12
Mississippi's 1st Congressional DistrictMay 12, 2015Republican PartyAlan NunneleeRepublican PartyTrent KellyR+40R+39
Illinois' 18th Congressional DistrictSeptember 10, 2015Republican PartyAaron SchockRepublican PartyDarin LaHoodR+38R+49
Ohio's 8th Congressional DistrictJune 7, 2016Republican PartyJohn BoehnerRepublican PartyWarren DavidsonR+56R+40
Pennsylvania's 2nd Congressional DistrictNovember 8, 2016Democratic PartyChaka FattahDemocratic PartyDwight EvansD+81D+75
Hawaii's 1st Congressional DistrictNovember 8, 2016Democratic PartyMark TakaiDemocratic PartyColleen HanabusaD+43D+4
Kentucky's 1st Congressional DistrictNovember 8, 2016Republican PartyEd WhitfieldRepublican PartyJames Comer Jr.R+44R+46
Kansas' 4th Congressional DistrictApril 11, 2017Republican PartyMike PompeoRepublican PartyRon EstesR+6R+31
Montana's At-Large Congressional DistrictMay 25, 2017Republican PartyRyan ZinkeRepublican PartyGreg GianforteR+6R+15
California's 34th Congressional DistrictJune 6, 2017Democratic PartyXavier BecerraDemocratic PartyJimmy GomezD+18[61]D+54[61]
Georgia's 6th Congressional DistrictJune 20, 2017Republican PartyTom PriceRepublican PartyKaren HandelR+4R+24
South Carolina's 5th Congressional DistrictJune 20, 2017Republican PartyMick MulvaneyRepublican PartyRalph NormanR+3R+20
Utah's 3rd Congressional DistrictNovember 7, 2017Republican PartyJason ChaffetzRepublican PartyJohn CurtisR+32R+47
U.S. Senate in AlabamaDecember 12, 2017Republican PartyJeff SessionsDemocratic PartyDoug JonesD+2R+28
Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional DistrictMarch 13, 2018Republican PartyTim MurphyDemocratic PartyConor LambD+0[62]R+100
Arizona's 8th Congressional DistrictApril 24, 2018Republican PartyTrent FranksRepublican PartyDebbie LeskoR+6R+38
Texas' 27th Congressional DistrictJune 30, 2018Republican PartyBlake FarentholdRepublican PartyMichael CloudR+23R+24
Ohio's 12th Congressional DistrictAugust 7, 2018Republican PartyPatrick TiberiRepublican PartyTroy BaldersonR+1R+40
Michigan's 13th Congressional DistrictNovember 6, 2018Democratic PartyJohn Conyers Jr.Democratic PartyBrenda JonesD+78D+61
U.S. Senate in MinnesotaNovember 6, 2018Democratic PartyAl FrankenDemocratic PartyTina SmithD+11D+10
U.S. Senate in MississippiNovember 6, 2018Republican PartyThad CochranRepublican PartyCindy Hyde-SmithR+8R+22
New York's 25th Congressional DistrictNovember 6, 2018Democratic PartyLouise SlaughterDemocratic PartyJoseph MorelleD+16D+12
Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional DistrictNovember 6, 2018Republican PartyPatrick MeehanDemocratic PartyMary Gay ScanlonD+6R+19
Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional DistrictNovember 6, 2018Republican PartyCharlie DentDemocratic PartySusan WildD+0[63]R+20
Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional DistrictMay 21, 2019Republican PartyTom MarinoRepublican PartyFred KellerR+36R+32
North Carolina's 3rd Congressional DistrictSeptember 10, 2019Republican PartyWalter JonesRepublican PartyGreg MurphyR+24R+100
North Carolina's 9th Congressional DistrictSeptember 10, 2019None[64]Republican PartyDan BishopR+2N/A
Maryland's 7th Congressional DistrictApril 28, 2020Democratic PartyElijah CummingsDemocratic PartyKweisi MfumeD+49D+55
California's 25th Congressional DistrictMay 12, 2020Democratic PartyKatie HillRepublican PartyMike GarciaR+10D+9
Wisconsin's 7th Congressional DistrictMay 12, 2020Republican PartySean DuffyRepublican PartyTom TiffanyR+14R+22
New York's 27th Congressional DistrictJune 23, 2020Republican PartyChris CollinsRepublican PartyChristopher JacobsR+5R+0[65]
U.S. Senate in ArizonaNovember 3, 2020Republican PartyJohn McCainDemocratic PartyMark KellyD+2R+13
Georgia's 5th Congressional DistrictDecember 1, 2020Democratic PartyJohn LewisDemocratic PartyKwanza HallD+8D+100
U.S. Senate in GeorgiaJanuary 5, 2021Republican PartyKelly LoefflerDemocratic PartyRaphael WarnockD+2R+14
Louisiana's 5th Congressional DistrictMarch 21, 2021Republican PartyRalph Abraham[66]Republican PartyJulia LetlowR+38R+24[67]
Louisiana's 2nd Congressional DistrictApril 24, 2021Democratic PartyCedric RichmondDemocratic PartyTroy CarterD+10[68]D+49
New Mexico's 1st Congressional DistrictJune 1, 2021Democratic PartyDebra HaalandDemocratic PartyMelanie Ann StansburyD+30D+16
Texas' 6th Congressional DistrictJuly 27, 2021Republican PartyRonald WrightRepublican PartyJake EllzeyR+6[69]R+9
Ohio's 11th Congressional DistrictNovember 2, 2021Democratic PartyMarcia FudgeDemocratic PartyShontel BrownD+58D+60
Ohio's 15th Congressional DistrictNovember 2, 2021Republican PartySteve StiversRepublican PartyMike CareyR+17R+27
Florida's 20th Congressional DistrictJanuary 11, 2022Democratic PartyAlcee HastingsDemocratic PartySheila Cherfilus-McCormickD+60D+57
California's 22nd Congressional DistrictJune 7, 2022Republican PartyDevin NunesRepublican PartyConnie ConwayR+24R+8
Texas' 34th Congressional DistrictJune 14, 2022Democratic PartyFilemon VelaRepublican PartyMayra FloresR+8D+14
Nebraska's 1st Congressional DistrictJune 28, 2022Republican PartyJeffrey FortenberryRepublican PartyMike FloodR+6R+22
Minnesota's 1st Congressional DistrictAugust 9, 2022Republican PartyJim HagedornRepublican PartyBrad FinstadR+4R+3
Alaska's At-Large Congressional DistrictAugust 16, 2022Republican PartyDon YoungDemocratic PartyMary PeltolaD+3R+9
New York's 19th Congressional DistrictAugust 23, 2022Democratic PartyAntonio DelgadoDemocratic PartyPat RyanD+2D+12
New York's 23rd Congressional DistrictAugust 23, 2022Republican PartyTom ReedRepublican PartyJoe SempolinskiR+7R+17
U.S. Senate in OklahomaNovember 8, 2022Republican PartyJim InhofeRepublican PartyMarkwayne MullinR+26.6R+30
U.S. Senate in CaliforniaNovember 8, 2022Democratic PartyKamala HarrisDemocratic PartyAlex PadillaD+17.6D+23.2
Indiana's 2nd Congressional DistrictNovember 8, 2022Republican PartyJackie WalorskiRepublican PartyRudy YakymR+29.9R+23

Special elections, 1986-2012

The table below presents the results of special elections to Congress from 1986 to 2012. Contact Ballotpedia ateditor@ballotpedia.org for access to earlier data.

Results of special elections to Congress (1986-2012)
Election cycleTotal special electionsU.S. House electionsSeats changing partisan controlU.S. Senate electionsSeats changing partisan control
2011-20121111NoneNoneNone
2009-201015103 (2 Democratic gains; 1 Republican gain)52 (all Republican gains)
2007-200814123 (2 Republican gains; 1 Democratic gain)2None
2005-200612123 (all Democratic gains)NoneNone
2003-200466NoneNoneNone
2001-2002652 (all Democratic gains)11 (Republican gain)
1999-2000981 (Republican gain)11 (Democratic gain)
1997-199833NoneNoneNone
1995-19961191 (Republican gain)21 (Democratic gain)
1993-1994961 (Republican gain)33 (all Republican gains)
1991-19921072 (all Republican gains)31 (Democratic gain)
1989-19901081 (Democratic gain)2None
1987-198812123 (2 Democratic gains; 1 Republican gain)NoneNone
1985-1986881 (Republican gain)NoneNone
Total13611721 (11 Democratic gains; 10 Republican gains)199 (6 Republican gains; 3 Democratic gains)

See also


Footnotes

  1. Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' presidential results by congressional district for 2020, 2016, and 2012," accessed April 6, 2021
  2. Runoff MOV between two Democratic candidates.
  3. This special election was called to fill the vacancy left by 2020 Congressman-electLuke Letlow (R), who died before being sworn in to Congress.
  4. Runoff MOV between two Republican candidates.
  5. Runoff MOV between two Republican candidates.
  6. 270towin, "Historical Timeline," accessed March 25, 2022
  7. New York Times, "Alaska At-Large Congressional District Special Election Results," accessed August 31, 2022
  8. Alaska Public Media, "Gross, a top four candidate for US House, calls it quits," June 20, 2022
  9. Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska U.S. Rep. Don Young has died at age 88," accessed March 18, 2022
  10. The Texas Tribune, "U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela steps down, setting up a heated battle for his South Texas district," March 31, 2022
  11. California Secretary of State, "Congressional District 22, Special Primary Election Calendar," accessed January 10, 2022
  12. NPR, "Rep. Devin Nunes is resigning from Congress to be CEO of Trump's new media company," December 6, 2021
  13. California Secretary of State, "June 7, 2022, Statewide Direct Primary Election Calendar," accessed January 31, 2022
  14. Federal Election Commission, "Dates and Deadlines," accessed January 31, 2022
  15. NBC 6 South Florida, "DeSantis Announces Special Election for Congressional District 20," May 4, 2021
  16. Florida Division of Elections, "Notice of Special Election for the Office of United States Representative in Congress, District 20," accessed June 1, 2021
  17. The Hill, "Florida Rep. Alcee Hastings dead at 84," April 6, 2021
  18. Indiana Secretary of State, "FAQ re: Special Elections in Indiana's 2nd Congressional District," accessed August 11, 2022
  19. CNN, "Indiana Republican Rep. Jackie Walorski is killed in car accident, McCarthy announces," accessed August 3, 2022
  20. New Orleans Public Radio, "Baton Rouge Activist Gary Chambers Mounts Bid For 2nd Congressional Dist. Seat," February 2, 2021
  21. The Advocate, "2nd Congressional Districts candidates go to TV," February 13, 2021
  22. KLFY, "Who will succeed Cedric Richmond in Congress? Hopefuls file their papers," January 21, 2021
  23. NOLA, "Karen Carter Peterson steers slightly left of Troy Carter in first Louisiana congressional debate," April 16, 2021
  24. Daily Advertiser, "Joe Biden names 9 top White House appointees, including Rep. Cedric Richmond and campaign manager O'Malley Dillon," November 17, 2020
  25. The Hill, "Louisiana Rep.-elect hospitalized as a precaution for COVID-19 infection," December 19, 2020
  26. Candy Christophe's 2021 campaign website, "Meet Candy," accessed February 3, 2021
  27. Julia Letlow's 2021 campaign website, "Julia Letlow, Ph.D., Announces Candidacy for Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District," January 19, 2021
  28. Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' presidential results by congressional district for 2020, 2016, and 2012," accessed February 3, 2021
  29. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "Alexander, Rodney," accessed March 11, 2021
  30. Louisiana Secretary of State, "Get Election Information," accessed March 18, 2021
  31. Minnesota Secretary of State, "Congressional District 1 Special Election," accessed February 23, 2022
  32. CBS Minnesota, "Congressman Jim Hagedorn Dies," February 18, 2022
  33. Nebraska Secretary of State, "2022 Special Election - U.S. Congressional District 1," accessed April 4, 2022
  34. KETV Omaha, "Nebraska Congressman Jeff Fortenberry convicted for lying to FBI about foreign campaign contribution," March 24, 2022
  35. AP News, "US Rep. Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska announces resignation," accessed March 26, 2022
  36. NPR, "Deb Haaland Confirmed As 1st Native American Interior Secretary," March 15, 2021
  37. New Mexico Secretary of State, "Election Results: Special Congressional Election June 1, 2021," accessed June 3, 2021
  38. Albuquerque Journal, "Stansbury chosen as Democratic nominee for special election," March 31, 2021
  39. Albuquerque Journal, "Mark Moores will be Republican CD1 candidate," March 27, 2021
  40. Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' presidential results by congressional district for 2020, 2016, and 2012," accessed April 20, 2021
  41. 41.041.1New York State Board of Elections, "Official Special Election Political Calendar," accessed June 8, 2022
  42. News 5 Cleveland, "Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announces date for special election to fill Marcia Fudge's 11th Congressional seat," March 18, 2021
  43. CNN, "Senate confirms Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge as HUD secretary," March 10, 2021
  44. WFMJ NBC 21, "Governor Mike DeWine calls special election for Ohio's 15th Congressional District," April 26, 2021
  45. WFMJ NBC 21, "Governor Mike DeWine calls special election for Ohio's 15th Congressional District," April 26, 2021
  46. ABC 6, "Steve Stivers resigns from Congress to lead Ohio Chamber of Commerce," April 19, 2021
  47. The Oklahoman, "Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt sets special election to replace Sen. Jim Inhofe," March 1, 2022
  48. Federal Election Commission, "Dates and deadlines," accessed March 4, 2022
  49. Oklahoma State Election Board, "2022 Statutory Election Dates and Deadlines," accessed March 4, 2022
  50. The Oklahoman, "Sen. Jim Inhofe to resign from Senate, backs top aide Luke Holland to succeed him," February 25, 2022
  51. kjrh.com, "U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe makes resignation announcement amid COVID-19 diagnosis," February 24, 2022
  52. Office of the Texas Governor, "Proclamation for District 6 runoff, Wright replacement election," accessed May 12, 2021
  53. NBC DFW, "Jake Ellzey Declares Victory in District 6 Runoff Election," July 27, 2021
  54. Governor of Texas Greg Abbott, "Special election proclamation - 6th Congressional District," accessed February 24, 2021
  55. Cite error: Invalid<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs namedtrump
  56. Cite error: Invalid<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs namedperry
  57. The Texas Tribune, "Texas GOP gears up for contentious runoff in TX-6 congressional race as Democrats grapple with being shut out," May 5, 2021
  58. Club for Growth, "CLUB FOR GROWTH PAC CONGRATULATES SUSAN WRIGHT," May 2, 2021
  59. Both general election candidates were Republicans.
  60. This race was unopposed.
  61. 61.061.1Both general election candidates were Democrats.
  62. Lamb won by a margin of 0.4 percentage points.
  63. Wild won by a margin of 0.2 percentage points.
  64. The state Board of Elections declined to certify the results of the2018 election following allegations of absentee ballot fraud.
  65. Collins won by 0.3 percentage points.
  66. This special election was called to fill the vacancy left by 2020 Congressman-electLuke Letlow (R), who died before being sworn in to Congress.
  67. Runoff MOV between two Republican candidates.
  68. Runoff MOV between two Democratic candidates.
  69. Runoff MOV between two Republican candidates.
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