Senate
United States elections · 1856 · 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.
California — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David C. Broderick | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent lost re-election. Winner elected in 1856. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y David C. Broderick (Democratic)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
California — Senate (Class 3) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William M. Gwin | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Legislature had failed to elect. Incumbent was then elected January 13, 1857. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William M. Gwin (Democratic)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Connecticut — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Dixon | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected in 1856. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James Dixon (Republican)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Delaware — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James A. Bayard Jr. | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent re-elected in 1857. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James A. Bayard Jr. (Democratic)
[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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin W. Bates | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Interim appointee retired. New senator elected January 14, 1857. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Martin W. Bates (Democratic)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Florida — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Mallory | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent re-elected in 1857. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Stephen Mallory (Democratic)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Indiana — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jesse D. Bright | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent re-elected in 1856. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Jesse D. Bright (Democratic)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Indiana — Senate (Class 3) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graham N. Fitch | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Legislature had failed to elect. New senator elected February 4, 1857. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Graham N. Fitch (Democratic)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Iowa — Senate (Class 3) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Harlan | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Election invalidated January 5, 1857. Incumbent re-elected January 29, 1857 as a Republican. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James Harlan (Republican)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Maine — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hannibal Hamlin Sr. | Republican | — | — | Elected |
| Nathaniel Clifford III | Democratic | — | — | — |
| David Bronson III | Whig | — | — | — |
| Lot Myrick Morrill | Republican | — | — | — |
Incumbent retired. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: First ballot (January 16, 1857)
▌Y Hannibal Hamlin Sr. (Republican) 115 HTooltip Maine House of Representatives; 28 STooltip Maine Senate
▌Nathaniel Clifford III (Democratic) 21 HTooltip Maine House of Representatives; 1 STooltip Maine Senate
▌David Bronson III (Whig) 3 HTooltip Maine House of Representatives; 0 STooltip Maine Senate
▌Lot Myrick Morrill (Republican) 1 HTooltip Maine House of Representatives; 0 STooltip Maine Senate
▌Absent 1 HTooltip Maine House of Representatives; 0 STooltip Maine Senate
Sources & further reading
Maine — Senate (Class 1) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amos Nourse | Republican | — | — | Elected |
| Nathaniel Clifford III | Democratic | — | — | — |
| George Evans Sr. | Whig | — | — | — |
| Nathan Griffin Hichborn | Republican | — | — | — |
Incumbent resigned to become Governor of Maine. Republican hold. Winner was not elected to the next term, see below. Source candidate / selection detail: First ballot (January 16, 1857)
▌Y Amos Nourse (Republican) 118 HTooltip Maine House of Representatives; 28 STooltip Maine Senate
▌Nathaniel Clifford III (Democratic) 21 HTooltip Maine House of Representatives; 0 STooltip Maine Senate
▌George Evans Sr. (Whig) 3 HTooltip Maine House of Representatives; 0 STooltip Maine Senate
▌Nathan Griffin Hichborn (Republican) 0 HTooltip Maine House of Representatives; 1 STooltip Maine Senate
▌ Absent 11 HTooltip Maine House of Representatives; 0 STooltip Maine Senate
Sources & further reading
Maryland — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Kennedy | American | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent lost re-election or retired. New senator elected in 1856 or 1857. American gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Anthony Kennedy (American)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Massachusetts — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Sumner | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent re-elected in 1857 as a Republican. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Charles Sumner (Republican)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Michigan — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zachariah Chandler | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent lost re-election or retired. New senator elected in January 1857. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Zachariah Chandler (Republican)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Mississippi — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Davis | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent lost re-election or retired. New senator elected in 1856 or 1857. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Jefferson Davis (Democratic)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Missouri — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trusten Polk | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected in 1857. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Trusten Polk (Democratic)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Missouri — Senate (Class 3) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James S. Green | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Legislature had failed to elect. New senator elected January 12, 1857. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James S. Green (Democratic)
[data missing]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Clark | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent died May 25, 1857. New senator elected June 27, 1857. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Daniel Clark (Republican)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
New Jersey — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Renshaw Thomson | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
| Joseph Fitz Randolph | Opposition | — | — | — |
| Richard Stockton Field | Opposition | — | — | — |
Incumbent re-elected in 1857. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Renshaw Thomson (Democratic) 50
▌Joseph Fitz Randolph (Opposition) 22
▌Richard Stockton Field (Opposition) 6
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
New York — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preston King | Republican | — | — | Elected |
| Daniel E. Sickles | Democratic | — | — | — |
| Joel T. Headley | American | — | — | — |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected February 3, 1857. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Preston King (Republican) 91
▌Daniel E. Sickles (Democratic) 34
▌Joel T. Headley (American) 15
Sources & further reading
Ohio — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benjamin Wade | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent re-elected in 1856. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Benjamin Wade (Republican)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Pennsylvania — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simon Cameron | Republican | — | — | Elected |
| John W. Forney | Democratic | — | — | — |
| Henry D. Foster | Democratic | — | — | — |
| William Wilkins | Democratic | — | — | — |
Incumbent lost re-election or retired. New senator elected January 13, 1857. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Simon Cameron (Republican) 50.38%
▌John W. Forney (Democratic) 43.61%
▌Henry D. Foster (Democratic) 5.26%
▌William Wilkins (Democratic) 0.75%
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 Bigler | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
| Edward Joy Morris | Republican | — | — | — |
| John C. Flenniken | Unknown | — | — | — |
Legislature had failed to elect. New senator elected January 14, 1856. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William Bigler (Democratic) 61.65%
▌Edward Joy Morris (Republican) 32.33%
▌John C. Flenniken (Unknown) 0.75%
Sources & further reading
Rhode Island — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James F. Simmons | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected in 1856. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James F. Simmons (Republican)
[data missing]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James H. Hammond | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent died May 25, 1857. New senator elected December 7, 1857. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James H. Hammond (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 |
|---|
Incumbent retired. Legislature failed to elect. Whig loss. Seat would remain vacant until October 8, 1857; see below. Source candidate / selection detail: [data missing]
Sources & further reading
Tennessee — Senate (Class 1) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Johnson | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Legislature had failed to elect. New senator elected October 8, 1857. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Andrew Johnson (Democratic)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Texas — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas J. Rusk | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent re-elected in 1857. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Thomas J. Rusk (Democratic)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Vermont — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solomon Foot | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent re-elected in 1856. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Solomon Foot (Republican)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Virginia — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James M. Mason | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent re-elected in 1856. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James M. Mason (Democratic)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Wisconsin — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James R. Doolittle | Republican | — | — | Elected |
| Charles Dunn | Democratic | — | — | — |
| David Taylor | Republican | — | — | — |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected January 23, 1857. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James R. Doolittle (Republican) 67.52%
▌ Charles Dunn (Democratic) 30.77%
▌ David Taylor (Republican) 0.85%
"Jack Frost" 0.85%
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David C. Broderick · California | — | — | 1 | — |
| James Dixon · Connecticut | — | — | 1 | — |
| James A. Bayard Jr. · Delaware | — | — | 1 | — |
| Stephen Mallory · Florida | — | — | 1 | — |
| Jesse D. Bright · Indiana | — | — | 1 | — |
| Hannibal Hamlin Sr. · Maine | — | — | 1 | — |
| Anthony Kennedy · Maryland | — | — | 1 | — |
| Charles Sumner · Massachusetts | — | — | 1 | — |
| Zachariah Chandler · Michigan | — | — | 1 | — |
| Jefferson Davis · Mississippi | — | — | 1 | — |
| Trusten Polk · Missouri | — | — | 1 | — |
| John Renshaw Thomson · New Jersey | — | — | 1 | — |
| Preston King · New York | — | — | 1 | — |
| Benjamin Wade · Ohio | — | — | 1 | — |
| Simon Cameron · Pennsylvania | — | — | 1 | — |
| James F. Simmons · Rhode Island | — | — | 1 | — |
| Thomas J. Rusk · Texas | — | — | 1 | — |
| Solomon Foot · Vermont | — | — | 1 | — |
| James M. Mason · Virginia | — | — | 1 | — |
| James R. Doolittle · Wisconsin | — | — | 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