Senate
United States elections · 1852 · 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.
Alabama — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|
Incumbent retired. Legislature failed to elect. Democratic loss. Seat would remain vacant until November 29, 1853; see below. Source candidate / selection detail: [data missing]
Sources & further reading
Alabama — Senate (Class 2) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clement Claiborne Clay | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
| R. W. Walker | Unknown | — | — | — |
| Jeremiah Clemens | Democratic | — | — | — |
Legislature had failed to elect. New senator elected November 29, 1853. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Clement Claiborne Clay (Democratic) 85
▌R. W. Walker (Unknown) 37
▌Jeremiah Clemens (Democratic) 8
Sources & further reading
Alabama — Senate (Class 3) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benjamin Fitzpatrick | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
| William D. Dunn | Unknown | — | — | — |
| Jeremiah Clemens | Democratic | — | — | — |
| Francis Strother Lyon | Democratic | — | — | — |
Interim appointee elected December 12, 1853. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Benjamin Fitzpatrick (Democratic) 107
▌William D. Dunn (Unknown) 14
▌Jeremiah Clemens (Democratic) 2
▌Francis Strother Lyon (Democratic) 1
Sources & further reading
Arkansas — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William K. Sebastian | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent re-elected in 1853. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William K. Sebastian (Democratic) [data missing]
Sources & further reading
California — Senate (Class 1) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John B. Weller | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
| Pierson B. Reading | Whig | — | — | — |
Legislature had previously failed to elect in 1850–1851. New senator elected January 30, 1852 on the eighth ballot. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John B. Weller (Democratic) 71 votes
▌Pierson B. Reading (Whig) 17 votes
Sources & further reading
Connecticut — Senate (Class 1) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isaac Toucey | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Legislature failed to elect. New senator elected May 12, 1852. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Isaac Toucey (Democratic) [data missing]
Sources & further reading
Delaware — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John M. Clayton | Whig | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected in 1853. Whig hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John M. Clayton (Whig)
Unopposed
Sources & further reading
Georgia — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Toombs | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Unknown if incumbent retired or lost re-election. New senator elected in 1852. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Robert Toombs (Democratic) [data missing]
Sources & further reading
Illinois — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen A. Douglas | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
| Joseph Gillespie | Whig | — | — | — |
| James H. Collins | Unknown | — | — | — |
Incumbent re-elected in 1852. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Stephen A. Douglas (Democratic) 75
▌Joseph Gillespie (Whig) 19
▌James H. Collins (Unknown) 1
Sources & further reading
Indiana — Senate (Class 3) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Pettit | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired when elected successor qualified. New senator elected January 18, 1853. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Pettit (Democratic) [data missing]
Sources & further reading
Iowa — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George W. Jones | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
| George G. Wright | Whig | — | — | — |
| John F. Kinney | Democratic | — | — | — |
Incumbent re-elected in 1852. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y George W. Jones (Democratic) 59
▌George G. Wright (Whig) 31
▌John F. Kinney (Democratic) 1
Sources & further reading
Kentucky — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Burton Thompson | American | — | — | Elected |
| Francis P. Stone | Unknown | — | — | — |
Incumbent retired. New senator had already been elected early in 1851. Know Nothing gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Burton Thompson (American) 73
▌Francis P. Stone (Unknown) 65
Sources & further reading
Louisiana — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Judah P. Benjamin | Whig | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired or lost re-election. New senator elected in 1852. Whig gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Judah P. Benjamin (Whig) [data missing]
Sources & further reading
Louisiana — Senate (Class 3) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Slidell | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
| T. G. Hunt | Unknown | — | — | — |
Incumbent resigned to become U.S. Minister to Spain. New senator elected December 5, 1853. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Slidell (Democratic) 70
▌T. G. Hunt (Unknown) 37
Sources & further reading
Maine — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|
Incumbent retired. Legislature failed to elect. Democratic loss. Seat would remain vacant until 1854. Source candidate / selection detail: [data missing]
Sources & further reading
Massachusetts — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edward Everett | Whig | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected in 1853. Whig hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Edward Everett (Whig) [data missing]
Sources & further reading
Michigan — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles E. Stuart | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
| Zachariah Chandler | Whig | — | — | — |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected in 1853. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Charles E. Stuart (Democratic) 73.2%
▌Zachariah Chandler (Whig) 26.1%
Sources & further reading
Mississippi — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|
Incumbent retired. Legislature failed to elect. Whig loss. Seat would remain vacant until 1854. Source candidate / selection detail: [data missing]
Sources & further reading
Mississippi — Senate (Class 2) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walker Brooke | Whig | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent resigned January 8, 1852, to become Governor of Mississippi. New senator elected February 18, 1852. Whig gain. Winner then retired at the end of the term; see below. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Walker Brooke (Whig) [data missing]
Sources & further reading
Mississippi — Senate (Class 1) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Adams | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Interim appointee replaced by an elected successor. New senator elected March 17, 1852. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Stephen Adams (Democratic) [data missing]
Sources & further reading
New Hampshire — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles G. Atherton | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected in 1852. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Charles G. Atherton (Democratic) 69.3%
▌Others 30.7%
Sources & further reading
New Jersey — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Wright | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
| Jacob W. Miller | Whig | — | — | — |
Unknown if incumbent retired or lost re-election. New senator elected in 1852 or 1853. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William Wright (Democratic) 62.3%
▌Jacob W. Miller (Whig) 37.7%
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Renshaw Thomson | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
| William L. Dayton | Whig | — | — | — |
Incumbent resigned January 10, 1853, to become president of the Delaware and Raritan Canal Company. New senator elected March 4, 1853. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Renshaw Thomson (Democratic) 64.4%
▌William L. Dayton (Whig) 35.6%
Sources & further reading
North Carolina — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willie Mangum | Whig | — | — | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. Leglislature failed to elect. Whig loss. Seat would remain vacant until 1854. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Willie Mangum (Whig) [data missing]
Sources & further reading
Rhode Island — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|
Incumbent retired or lost re-election. Leglislature failed to elect. Whig loss. Seat would remain vacant until July 20, 1853; see below. Source candidate / selection detail: [data missing]
Sources & further reading
Rhode Island — Senate (Class 2) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philip Allen | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Legislature had failed to elect. New senator elected July 20, 1853. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Philip Allen (Democratic) [data missing]
Sources & further reading
South Carolina — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josiah J. Evans | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired or lost re-election. New senator elected in 1852 or 1853. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Josiah J. Evans (Democratic) [data missing]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William F. De Saussure | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Interim appointee elected November 29, 1852. Winner was not elected to the next term; see below. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William F. De Saussure (Democratic) [data missing]
Sources & further reading
Tennessee — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Bell | Whig | — | — | Elected |
| Cave Johnson | Democratic | — | — | — |
| Thomas A. R. Nelson | Whig | — | — | — |
| Neill S. Brown | Whig | — | — | — |
| Aaron V. Brown | Democratic | — | — | — |
Incumbent re-elected in 1853. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Bell (Whig) 51
▌Cave Johnson (Democratic) 23
▌Thomas A. R. Nelson (Whig) 18
▌Neill S. Brown (Whig) 4
▌Aaron V. Brown (Democratic) 1
Sources & further reading
Texas — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Houston | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
| John Hemphill | Democratic | — | — | — |
| George W. Smyth | Democratic | — | — | — |
Incumbent re-elected in 1853. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Sam Houston (Democratic) 65
▌John Hemphill (Democratic) 14
▌George W. Smyth (Democratic) 1
Sources & further reading
Virginia — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert M. T. Hunter | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent re-elected in 1852. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Robert M. T. Hunter (Democratic) 126
Scattering 63
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William K. Sebastian · Arkansas | — | — | 1 | — |
| John M. Clayton · Delaware | — | — | 1 | — |
| Robert Toombs · Georgia | — | — | 1 | — |
| Stephen A. Douglas · Illinois | — | — | 1 | — |
| George W. Jones · Iowa | — | — | 1 | — |
| John Burton Thompson · Kentucky | — | — | 1 | — |
| Judah P. Benjamin · Louisiana | — | — | 1 | — |
| Edward Everett · Massachusetts | — | — | 1 | — |
| Charles E. Stuart · Michigan | — | — | 1 | — |
| Charles G. Atherton · New Hampshire | — | — | 1 | — |
| William Wright · New Jersey | — | — | 1 | — |
| Josiah J. Evans · South Carolina | — | — | 1 | — |
| John Bell · Tennessee | — | — | 1 | — |
| Sam Houston · Texas | — | — | 1 | — |
| Robert M. T. Hunter · 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.
Sources & further reading
U.S. Senate historical party divisions