The 1810–11 United States Senate elections were held on various dates in various states. As these U.S. Senate elections were prior to the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913, senators were chosen by state legislatures. Senators were elected over a wide range of time throughout 1810 and 1811, and a seat may have been filled months late or remained vacant due to legislative deadlock. In these elections, terms were up for the senators in Class 2.

The Democratic-Republican Party maintained their Senate majority. The minority Federalist Party had gone into the elections with such a small share of Senate seats (8 out of 34, or 23.5%) that, had they won all of the elections, they would still not have reached a majority.

Change in composition

Senate Composition in 1809 Democratic-Republicans: 28 seats Federalists: 6 seats

Senate Composition in 1811 Democratic-Republicans: 30 seats Federalists: 6 seats

Key Changes Democratic-Republicans: The Democratic-Republicans gained 2 seats, increasing their majority from 28 to 30 seats. Federalists: The number of Federalist seats remained unchanged at 6.

Context The Democratic-Republican Party continued to dominate the United States Senate during this period, reflecting the broader political landscape of the early 19th century. Following the decline of the Federalist Party after the election of 1800, Democratic-Republicans held a clear majority in both chambers of Congress for much of the decade. This dominance allowed the party to influence legislative priorities and shape national policy.

The political environment of the time was strongly influenced by growing tensions between the United States and Great Britain. Disputes over maritime rights, trade restrictions, and the impressment of American sailors by the British Royal Navy contributed to increasing public and political pressure for a more assertive response. These issues became central topics of debate in Congress and played a significant role in shaping the legislative agenda.

During this period, members of Congress also focused on matters related to national defense, trade policy, and the protection of American shipping interests. Several Democratic-Republican leaders supported stronger measures against Britain, while some Federalists expressed concern about the economic and military consequences of escalating conflict. These divisions reflected broader regional and political differences within the United States.

The political debates of this era ultimately contributed to the conditions that led to the outbreak of the War of 1812. As tensions intensified, congressional discussions increasingly centered on national sovereignty, security, and the future direction of American foreign policy.

DR DR DR DR DR DR DR DR DR DR DR DR DR DR DR DR DR Majority → DR F DR DR DR DR DR DR DR DR F F F F F F F

Result of the regular elections

DR DR DR DR DR DR DR DR DR DR DR DR DR DR DR DR DR Majority → DR V DR DR DR DR DR DR DR DR F F F F F F F

Key DR Democratic-Republican F Federalist V Vacant

Race summaries

Except if/when noted, number following candidates is whole number votes.

Special elections during the 11th Congress In these special elections, the winners were seated during 1810 or before March 4, 1811; ordered by election date.

State Incumbent Results Candidates Senator Party Electoral history Kentucky(Class 2) Buckner Thruston Democratic-Republican 1804 Incumbent resigned December 18, 1809, to become a judge on the United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia.New senator elected January 4, 1810.Democratic-Republican hold. Delaware(Class 1) Samuel White Federalist 1801 1802 18031809 Incumbent died November 4, 1809.New senator elected January 12, 1810.Federalist hold. New Hampshire(Class 3) Nahum Parker Democratic-Republican 1807 Incumbent resigned June 1, 1810.New senator elected June 21, 1810.Federalist gain. Connecticut(Class 1) James Hillhouse Federalist 1796179718031809 Incumbent resigned June 10, 1810.New senator elected in June 1810.Federalist hold. Ohio(Class 1) Return J. Meigs Jr. Democratic-Republican 18081808 Incumbent resigned December 8, 1810, to become Governor of Ohio.New senator elected December 15, 1810 on the sixth ballot.Democratic-Republican hold. South Carolina(Class 2) Thomas Sumter Democratic-Republican 18011804 Incumbent resigned December 16, 1810.New senator elected December 18, 1810 on the third ballot.Democratic-Republican hold.Winner also elected to the next term; see below.

Races leading to the 12th Congress

In these regular elections, the winner was seated on March 4, 1811 (except where noted due to late election); ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats. State Incumbent Results Candidates Senator Party Electoralhistory Delaware James A. Bayard Federalist 18041805 Incumbent re-elected January 8, 1811. Georgia William H. Crawford Democratic-Republican 1807 Incumbent re-elected in 1810 or 1811. Kentucky Henry Clay Democratic-Republican 1810 Incumbent retired to run for U.S. House of Representatives.New senator elected January 8, 1811.Democratic-Republican hold. Massachusetts Timothy Pickering Federalist 18031805 Incumbent lost re-election.Legislature failed to elect due to partisan deadlock in the Massachusetts Senate.Federalist loss. New Hampshire Nicholas Gilman Democratic-Republican 1804 Incumbent re-elected June 21, 1810, on the fourth ballot. New Jersey John Condit Democratic-Republican 1803 18031809 1809 1809 Incumbent re-elected November 1, 1810. North Carolina James Turner Democratic-Republican 1804 Incumbent re-elected November 28, 1810 on the third vote. Rhode Island Elisha Mathewson Democratic-Republican 1807 Incumbent retired or lost re-election.New senator elected November 2, 1810.Democratic-Republican hold. South Carolina Thomas Sumter Democratic-Republican 18011809 Incumbent resigned December 16, 1810.New senator elected December 18, 1810 on the third ballot.Democratic-Republican hold.Winner also elected to finish the current term; see above. Tennessee Jenkin Whiteside Democratic-Republican 1809 Incumbent re-elected early October 28, 1809. Virginia William B. Giles Democratic-Republican 1804 18041804 Incumbent re-elected January 2, 1811.

Special elections during the 12th Congress In these special elections, the winners were seated in 1811 after March 4; ordered by election date. State Incumbent Results Candidates Senator Party Electoral history Massachusetts(Class 2) Vacant Legislature had failed to elect; see above.New senator elected late June 6, 1811 on the second ballot.Democratic-Republican gain. Tennessee(Class 2) Jenkin Whiteside Democratic-Republican 1809 Incumbent resigned October 8, 1811.New senator elected October 1, 1811.Democratic-Republican hold. Rhode Island(Class 1) Christopher G. Champlin Federalist 1809 Incumbent resigned October 12, 1811.New senator elected October 28, 1811.Federalist hold.

Connecticut (special)

Delaware

Delaware (regular)

Delaware (special)

Georgia

Kentucky

Kentucky (regular)

Kentucky (special)

Massachusetts

Massachusetts (regular)

Massachusetts (special)

New Hampshire

New Hampshire (regular)

New Hampshire (special)

New Jersey

North Carolina

Ohio (special)

Rhode Island

Rhode Island (regular)

Rhode Island (special)

South Carolina

South Carolina (regular)

South Carolina (special)

Tennessee

Tennessee (regular)

Tennessee (special)

Virginia

See also 1810 United States elections 1810–11 United States House of Representatives elections 11th United States Congress 12th United States Congress

Notes

References

External links Party Division in the Senate, 1789-Present, via Senate.gov