Senate
United States elections · 1788 · held
State Senate races in this election cycle, with separate candidate results and election-era ideology attribution.
State races and results map
Each race has its own denominator. Missing counts are blank. The interactive map uses modern state outlines as navigation references.
Connecticut — Senate (Class 1) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oliver Ellsworth | Pro-Administration | — | — | Elected |
Winner elected October 16, 1788. Pro-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Oliver Ellsworth (Pro-Admin.)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Connecticut — Senate (Class 3) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William S. Johnson | Pro-Administration | — | — | Elected |
Winner elected October 16, 1788. Pro-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William S. Johnson (Pro-Admin.)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Delaware — Senate (Class 2) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Bassett | Anti-Administration | — | — | Elected |
Winner elected October 25, 1788. Anti-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Richard Bassett (Anti-Admin.)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Delaware — Senate (Class 1) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Read | Pro-Administration | — | — | Elected |
Winner elected October 25, 1788. Pro-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y George Read (Pro-Admin.)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Georgia — Senate (Class 2) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Few | Anti-Administration | — | — | Elected |
Winner elected January 17, 1789. Anti-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William Few (Anti-Admin.)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Georgia — Senate (Class 3) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Gunn | Anti-Administration | — | — | Elected |
Winner elected January 17, 1789. Anti-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James Gunn (Anti-Admin.)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Maryland — Senate (Class 1) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uriah Forrest | Unknown | — | — | — |
| Charles Carroll | Pro-Administration | — | — | — |
| Charles Carroll | Pro-Administration | — | — | — |
| Uriah Forrest | Unknown | — | — | — |
| Charles Carroll | Pro-Administration | — | — | Elected |
| Uriah Forrest | Unknown | — | — | — |
Winner elected December 10, 1788, on the third ballot "to represent the western shore." Pro-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: First ballot (December 11, 1788)
▌ Uriah Forrest (Unknown) 49.40% (41 votes) ▌ Charles Carroll (Pro-Administration) 48.19% (40 votes) Scattering 2.41% (2 votes)
Second ballot (December 11, 1788)
▌ Charles Carroll (Pro-Administration) 50.00% (41 votes) ▌ Uriah Forrest (Unknown) 50.00% (41 votes)
Third ballot (December 11, 1788)
▌Y Charles Carroll (Pro-Admin.) 51.85% (42 votes)
▌Uriah Forrest (Unknown) 48.15% (39 votes)
Sources & further reading
Maryland — Senate (Class 3) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Henry | Pro-Administration | — | — | — |
| George Gale | Unknown | — | — | — |
| John Henry | Pro-Administration | — | — | Elected |
| George Gale | Unknown | — | — | — |
Winner elected December 10, 1788, on the second ballot "to represent the eastern shore." Pro-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: First ballot (December 11, 1788)
▌ John Henry (Pro-Administration) 49.40% (41 votes) ▌ George Gale (Unknown) 49.40% (41 votes) ▌ Scattering 1.20% (1 vote)
Second ballot (December 11, 1788)
▌Y John Henry (Pro-Admin.) 51.22% (42 votes)
▌George Gale (Unknown) 48.78% (40 votes)
Sources & further reading
Massachusetts — Senate (Class 1) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tristram Dalton | Pro-Administration | — | — | Elected |
| Nathan Dane | Unknown | — | — | — |
| Charles Jarvis | Unknown | — | — | — |
| Azor Orne | Unknown | — | — | — |
Winner elected November 24, 1788, on the seventh ballot. Pro-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Tristram Dalton (Pro-Admin.) 53.79% (78 votes)
▌Others 46.21% (67 votes)
▌Nathan Dane (Unknown) Eliminated
▌Charles Jarvis (Unknown) Eliminated
▌Azor Orne (Unknown)
Sources & further reading
Massachusetts — Senate (Class 2) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caleb Strong | Pro-Administration | — | — | Elected |
| Charles Jarvis | Unknown | — | — | — |
| Theodore Sedgwick | Pro-Administration | — | — | — |
| John Lowell | Pro-Administration | — | — | — |
| [FNU] Holten | Unknown | — | — | — |
| [FNU] Gorham | Unknown | — | — | — |
Winner elected November 24, 1788. Pro-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Caleb Strong (Pro-Admin.) 36.10% (152 votes)
▌Charles Jarvis (Unknown) 18.76% (79 votes)
▌Theodore Sedgwick (Pro-Admin.) 15.91% (67 votes)
▌John Lowell (Pro-Admin.) 14.01% (59 votes)
▌[FNU] Holten (Unknown) 9.26% (39 votes)
▌[FNU] Gorham (Unknown) 5.46% (23 votes)
Others 0.48% (2 votes)
Sources & further reading
New Hampshire — Senate (Class 3) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Langdon | Pro-Administration | — | — | Elected |
Winner elected November 12, 1788. Pro-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Langdon (Pro-Admin.) 95.24%
(60 "aye", 3 "nay")
Sources & further reading
New Hampshire — Senate (Class 2) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paine Wingate | Anti-Administration | — | — | Elected |
Josiah Bartlett was at first elected November 12, 1788, but "declined the appointment." Winner elected January 3, 1789. Anti-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Paine Wingate (Anti-Admin.) 69.05%
(58 "Aye", 26 "Nay")
Sources & further reading
New Jersey — Senate (Class 1) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Paterson | Pro-Administration | — | — | — |
| Jonathan Elmer | Pro-Administration | — | — | Elected |
| Abraham Clark | Unknown | — | — | — |
| Elias Boudinot | Federalist | — | — | — |
Winner elected November 25, 1788. Pro-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William Paterson (Pro-Admin.) 45 votes (Class 2)
▌Y Jonathan Elmer (Pro-Admin.) 29 votes (Class 1)
▌Abraham Clark (Unknown) 19 votes
▌Elias Boudinot (Federalist) 7 votes
Sources & further reading
New Jersey — Senate (Class 2) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Paterson | Pro-Administration | — | — | Elected |
| Jonathan Elmer | Pro-Administration | — | — | — |
| Abraham Clark | Unknown | — | — | — |
| Elias Boudinot | Federalist | — | — | — |
Winner elected November 25, 1788. Pro-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William Paterson (Pro-Admin.) 45 votes (Class 2)
▌Y Jonathan Elmer (Pro-Admin.) 29 votes (Class 1)
▌Abraham Clark (Unknown) 19 votes
▌Elias Boudinot (Federalist) 7 votes
Sources & further reading
New York — Senate (Class 3) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rufus King | Pro-Administration | — | — | Elected |
State legislature failed to pick Senator until after Congress began. Winner elected July 25, 1789. Pro-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Rufus King (Pro-Admin.)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
New York — Senate (Class 1) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philip Schuyler | Pro-Administration | — | — | Elected |
State legislature failed to pick Senator until after Congress began. Winner elected July 27, 1789. Pro-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Philip Schuyler (Pro-Admin.)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
North Carolina — Senate (Class 2) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samuel Johnston | Pro-Administration | — | — | Elected |
North Carolina ratified the Constitution November 21, 1789. Winner elected November 27, 1789. Pro-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Samuel Johnston (Pro-Admin.)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
North Carolina — Senate (Class 3) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benjamin Hawkins | Pro-Administration | — | — | Elected |
North Carolina ratified the Constitution November 21, 1789. Winner elected November 27, 1789. Pro-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Benjamin Hawkins (Pro-Admin.)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Pennsylvania — Senate (Class 1) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Maclay | Anti-Administration | — | — | Elected |
| Robert Morris | Pro-Administration | — | — | — |
Winner elected September 30, 1788. Anti-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William Maclay (Anti-Admin.) 66 votes (Class 1)
▌Y Robert Morris (Pro-Admin.) 37 votes (Class 3)
▌William Irvine 31 votes
Sources & further reading
Pennsylvania — Senate (Class 3) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Maclay | Anti-Administration | — | — | — |
| Robert Morris | Pro-Administration | — | — | Elected |
Winner elected September 30, 1788. Pro-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William Maclay (Anti-Admin.) 66 votes (Class 1)
▌Y Robert Morris (Pro-Admin.) 37 votes (Class 3)
▌William Irvine 31 votes
Sources & further reading
South Carolina — Senate (Class 2) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pierce Butler | Pro-Administration | — | — | Elected |
Winner elected January 22, 1789. Pro-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Pierce Butler (Pro-Admin.)
"Almost unanimously"
Sources & further reading
South Carolina — Senate (Class 3) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ralph Izard | Pro-Administration | — | — | Elected |
Winner elected January 22, 1789. Pro-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Ralph Izard (Pro-Admin.)
Sources & further reading
Virginia — Senate (Class 2) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Henry Lee | Anti-Administration | — | — | Elected |
| William Grayson | Anti-Administration | — | — | — |
| James Madison | Federalist | — | — | — |
Winner elected November 8, 1788. Anti-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Richard Henry Lee (Anti-Admin.) 98 votes (Class 2)
▌Y William Grayson (Anti-Admin.) 86 votes (Class 1)
▌James Madison (Federalist)
Sources & further reading
Virginia — Senate (Class 1) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Henry Lee | Anti-Administration | — | — | — |
| William Grayson | Anti-Administration | — | — | Elected |
| James Madison | Federalist | — | — | — |
Winner elected November 8, 1788. Anti-Administration win. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Richard Henry Lee (Anti-Admin.) 98 votes (Class 2)
▌Y William Grayson (Anti-Admin.) 86 votes (Class 1)
▌James Madison (Federalist)
Sources & further reading
Results: final · partial coverage · Elected candidates in regular races; continuing senators are not included
| Party / candidate | Votes | Vote share | Seats | Electoral votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oliver Ellsworth · Connecticut | — | — | 1 | — |
| William S. Johnson · Connecticut | — | — | 1 | — |
| Richard Bassett · Delaware | — | — | 1 | — |
| George Read · Delaware | — | — | 1 | — |
| William Few · Georgia | — | — | 1 | — |
| James Gunn · Georgia | — | — | 1 | — |
| Charles Carroll · Maryland | — | — | 1 | — |
| John Henry · Maryland | — | — | 1 | — |
| Tristram Dalton · Massachusetts | — | — | 1 | — |
| Caleb Strong · Massachusetts | — | — | 1 | — |
| John Langdon · New Hampshire | — | — | 1 | — |
| Paine Wingate · New Hampshire | — | — | 1 | — |
| Jonathan Elmer · New Jersey | — | — | 1 | — |
| William Paterson · New Jersey | — | — | 1 | — |
| Rufus King · New York | — | — | 1 | — |
| Philip Schuyler · New York | — | — | 1 | — |
| Samuel Johnston · North Carolina | — | — | 1 | — |
| Benjamin Hawkins · North Carolina | — | — | 1 | — |
| William Maclay · Pennsylvania | — | — | 1 | — |
| Robert Morris · Pennsylvania | — | — | 1 | — |
| Pierce Butler · South Carolina | — | — | 1 | — |
| Ralph Izard · South Carolina | — | — | 1 | — |
| Richard Henry Lee · Virginia | — | — | 1 | — |
| William Grayson · Virginia | — | — | 1 | — |
The seat diagram shows only regular seats contested in this cycle, not the full Senate. Special races remain available in the state selector. Early cycles span two years and use legislative selection; missing or non-comparable vote totals are left blank. Candidate ideology is used where sourced; otherwise the broad election-era party tradition is used. Unassessed candidates are not assigned an ideology. This first cycle includes delayed New York and North Carolina selections in 1789. Rhode Island joined in 1790; its first selections are recorded in that later cycle.
Sources & further reading
U.S. Senate historical party divisions