The 1888–89 United States Senate elections were held on various dates in various states, coinciding with Benjamin Harrison's victory over incumbent President Grover Cleveland. 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 1888 and 1889, 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.

Both parties were unchanged in the regular elections, but later special elections would give Republicans an eightseat majority, mostly from newly admitted states.

Results summary Senate party division, 51st Congress (1889–1891)

Majority party: Republican (39 to 51) Minority party: Democratic (37 to 35) Other parties: (0) Total seats: 76 to 88

Change in Senate composition

Before the elections

D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D Majority with Readjuster in caucus → R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R

After the elections D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D V Majority due to vacancy → R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R

Beginning of the next Congress D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D R Majority → R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R

End of 1889 D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D R R R R Majority → R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R Key: D Democratic Readjuster R Republican V Vacant

Race summaries

Special elections during the 50th Congress There were no special elections during 1888 or in 1889 before March 4.

Races leading to the 51st Congress

In these regular elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1889; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats.

State Incumbent Results Candidates Senator Party Electoralhistory Alabama John T. Morgan Democratic 18761882 Incumbent re-elected in 1888. Arkansas James H. Berry Democratic 1885 Incumbent re-elected in 1889. Colorado Thomas M. Bowen Republican 1882–83 Incumbent retired or lost re-election.New senator elected in 1889.Republican hold. Delaware Eli Saulsbury Democratic 187018761883 Incumbent lost re-election.New senator elected in 1888 or 1889.Republican gain. Georgia Alfred H. Colquitt Democratic 1883 Incumbent re-elected in 1888. Illinois Shelby M. Cullom Republican 1882 Incumbent re-elected in 1888. Iowa James F. Wilson Republican 1882 Incumbent re-elected January 25, 1888. Kansas Preston B. Plumb Republican 18771883 Incumbent re-elected in 1888. Kentucky James B. Beck Democratic 18761881 Incumbent re-elected January 10, 1888. Louisiana Randall L. Gibson Democratic 1882 Incumbent re-elected in 1889. Maine William P. Frye Republican 1881 1883 Incumbent re-elected in 1889. Massachusetts George F. Hoar Republican 18771883 Incumbent re-elected in 1889. Michigan Thomas W. Palmer Republican 1882–83 Incumbent retired.New senator elected in 1889.Republican hold. Minnesota Dwight M. Sabin Republican 1883 Incumbent lost renomination.New senator elected in 1888.Republican hold. Mississippi Edward C. Walthall Democratic 1885 1886 Incumbent re-elected in 1889. Nebraska Charles F. Manderson Republican 1883 Incumbent re-elected in 1888. New Hampshire William E. Chandler Republican 1887 Unknown if incumbent retired or lost re-election.Legislature failed to elect.Republican loss.Gilman Marston (R) was appointed to start the next term and Chandler was later elected to finish the term; see below. New Jersey John R. McPherson Democratic 18771883 Incumbent re-elected in 1889. North Carolina Matt W. Ransom Democratic 1872 18761883 Incumbent re-elected in 1889. Oregon Joseph N. Dolph Republican 1882 Incumbent re-elected in 1888. Rhode Island Jonathan Chace Republican 1885 Incumbent re-elected in 1888. South Carolina Matthew Butler Democratic 18761882 Incumbent re-elected in 1888. Tennessee Isham G. Harris Democratic 18771883 Incumbent re-elected in 1889. Texas Richard Coke Democratic 18761883 Incumbent re-elected January 23, 1889. Virginia Harrison H. Riddleberger 1881 Incumbent retired.New senator elected early December 20, 1887.John S. Barbour Jr. at Encyclopedia VirginiaDemocratic gain. West Virginia John E. Kenna Democratic 1883 Incumbent re-elected in 1889.

Elections during the 51st Congress In these elections, the winners were elected in 1889 after March 4; ordered by election date.

State Incumbent Results Candidates Senator Party Electoral history Rhode Island(Class 2) Jonathan Chace Republican 1885 1888 Incumbent resigned April 9, 1889.New senator elected April 10, 1889.Republican hold. New Hampshire(Class 2) Gilman Marston Republican 1889 Interim appointee retired or lost election to finish the term.New senator elected June 18, 1889.Republican hold. South Dakota(Class 2) None (new state) South Dakota admitted to the Union November 2, 1889.First senators elected October 16, 1889, in advance of statehood.Journal of the House of Representatives..., p. 11Republican gain. South Dakota(Class 3) South Dakota admitted to the Union November 2, 1889.First senators elected October 16, 1889, in advance of statehood.Republican gain. Washington(Class 1) None (new state) Washington admitted to the Union November 11, 1889.First senators elected November 20, 1889.Republican gain. Washington(Class 3) Washington admitted to the Union November 11, 1889.First senators elected November 20, 1889.Republican gain. North Dakota(Class 1) None (new state) North Dakota admitted to the Union November 2, 1889.First senators elected November 25, 1889.Journal of the House of the First Legislative Assembly..., p. 63-64Republican gain. North Dakota(Class 3) North Dakota admitted to the Union November 2, 1889.First senators elected November 25, 1889.Republican gain.

See also 1888 United States elections 1888 United States presidential election 1888 United States House of Representatives elections 50th United States Congress 51st United States Congress

References

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