Special elections to the 118th United States Congress (2023-2024)
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Special elections to the United States Congress are required in the event of vacancies. This page is a compilation of all special elections to the 118th Congress in 2023-2024.
As of June 2024, six special elections had been held to fill vacant seats in the U.S. House. Four special elections are set to occur in the U.S. House, along with two in the U.S. Senate. The following special elections are upcoming:
- Ohio's 6th Congressional District on June 11, 2024.
- Colorado's 4th Congressional District on June 25, 2024.
- New Jersey's 10th Congressional District on September 18, 2024.
- Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District on November 5, 2024.
- California Senate on November 5, 2024.
- Nebraska Senate on November 5, 2024.
The following special elections already occurred:
- California's 20th Congressional District on May 21, 2024.
- New York's 26th Congressional District on April 30, 2024.
- New York's 3rd Congressional District on February 13, 2024.
- Utah’s 2nd Congressional District on November 21, 2023.
- Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District on November 7, 2023.
- Virginia's 4th Congressional District on February 21, 2023
There are three special elections scheduled for November 5, 2024. One special election is to fill the last two years of the six-year term that Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) was elected to in 2020. Sasse resigned from the U.S. Senate on January 8, 2023, after being appointed president of the University of Florida.[1][2][3] On January 12, 2023, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) appointed Pete Ricketts (R) to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy that Sasse's resignation caused.[4]
Another special election is to fill the rest of the six-year term that Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) was elected to in 2018. Feinstein died on Sept. 29, 2023. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) appointed Laphonza Butler (D) to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by Feinstein's death.[5]
Another special election is to fill the remainder of Mike Gallagher's (R) term. Gallagher resigned on April 19, citing death threats and swatting incidents targeted toward his family as reasons for his resignation.[6]
Seventy-six special elections to the United States Congress were called during the 113th through 118th Congresses. During that time, special elections were called for 27 seats vacated by Democrats and 49 vacated by Republicans.
As of February 14, 2024, one of these races resulted in a partisan flip. The special election for New York's 3rd Congressional District resulted in a Democratic gain.
Special elections to Congress occur when a legislator resigns or is removed from office. Depending on the specific state laws governing vacancies, a state can either hold an election within the same calendar year or wait until the next regularly scheduled election.
Special elections
House
Senate
Special election results
House
Ohio's 6th Congressional District special election, 2024
A special election to fill the seat representing Ohio's 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House will be held in 2024. Primaries were scheduled for March 19, 2024. The general election will be held June 11, 2024. The filing deadline for the primary was January 19, 2024 and the deadline for independent candidates to file for the general election was March 18, 2024.[8]
The special election will fill the vacancy left by Bill Johnson (R), who resigned to take the position of president of Youngstown State University.[9]
Colorado's 4th Congressional District special election, 2024
A special election to fill the seat representing Colorado's 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House will be held in 2024. The general election will be held June 25, 2024. The party nomination deadline was April 1, 2024.[10][11]
The special election will fill the vacancy left by Ken Buck (R), who resigned on March 22, 2024.
New Jersey's 10th Congressional District special election, 2024
A special election to fill the seat representing New Jersey's 10th Congressional District in the U.S. House will be held in 2024. Primaries are scheduled for July 16, 2024. The general election will be held September 18, 2024. The filing deadline was May 10, 2024.[12]
The special election will fill the vacancy left by Donald Payne Jr. (D), who died on April 24, 2024.[13]
Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District special election, 2024
A special election to fill the seat representing Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House will be held in 2024. Primaries, if necessary, are scheduled for August 13, 2024. The general election will be held November 5th, 2024. The filing deadline was June 1st, 2024.[14]
The special election will fill the vacancy left by Mike Gallagher (R), who cited death threats and swatting incidents targeted toward his family as reasons for his resignation.[15]
Senate
| Results of special elections to the 118th Congress (Senate) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race | Election date | Incumbent | Winner | Election MOV | Previous election MOV | 2020 Presidential election MOV (statewide)[16] |
| California Senate | November 5, 2024 |  Dianne Feinstein |
TBD | TBD | D+8.4 | D+29[17] |
| Nebraska Senate | November 5, 2024 |  Ben Sasse |
TBD | TBD | R+38.3 | R+19[18] |
United States Senate special election in Nebraska, 2024
On November 5, 2024, there will be a special election to fill the last two years of the six-year term that Ben Sasse (R) was elected to in 2020. Sasse resigned from the U.S. Senate on January 8, 2023, after being appointed president of the University of Florida.[19][20][3] On January 12, 2023, Pete Ricketts (R) was appointed to the U.S. Senate by Gov. Jim Pillen to fill the vacancy left by Sasse's resignation.[4]
United States Senate special election in California, 2024
On November 5, 2024, there will be a special election to fill the rest of the six-year term that Dianne Feinstein (D) was elected to in 2018. Primaries were scheduled for March 5, 2024. The filing deadline was December 8, 2023.[21]
The special election will fill the vacancy left by Dianne Feinstein (D), who died on September 29, 2023.
Special elections that resulted in a partisan flip
New York's 3rd Congressional District
Tom Suozzi (D) defeated Mazi Pilip (R) in a special election in New York's 3rd Congressional District on February 13, 2024. The election was called following the expulsion of George Santos (R).
Suozzi represented an earlier version of the district from 2017 to 2023 and was a candidate for governor in the 2022 Democratic primary, while Pilip had served in the Nassau County Legislature since 2021. Because this was a special election, leaders in the Queens and Nassau county parties selected both candidates rather than holding primaries.[22][23][24]
Local political analysts said that support for Israel was likely to be an issue in the race, with both Suozzi and Pilip saying they were strong supporters of the country. Hofstra University professor Lawrence Levy said the issue could affect turnout for Suozzi: "There’s not an inch of daylight between Suozzi and Pilip on support for Israel...but the Democratic Party is seeing younger voters at odds with Israel."[25] In an interview with Politico, Suozzi said Democrats who opposed U.S. aid to Israel were not informed on the issue: "They don’t understand what a serious threat this is to not only Israel and Jews throughout the world, but to America and our allies. They’re just not educated about the issues."[26]
The outcome of the election helped to determine the balance of members in the U.S. House of Representatives. At the time of the election, Republicans had 219 seats to Democrats' 212, a seven-seat margin for Republicans. Suozzi's win expanded the Democratic minority, bringing the partisan balance to a six-seat margin of 219-213. A win for Pilip would have expanded the Republican majority to an eight-seat margin of 220-212.
Suozzi will serve the remainder of Santos' term, which ends on January 3, 2025. Candidates for the special election were still eligible to run in the regular 2024 election.
In the 2022 election, Santos defeated Robert Zimmerman (D) 53.7%-46.2%. This was the first election after the 2020 round of redistricting, which analysts assessed shifted the district towards Republicans.
The U.S. House voted to expel Santos on December 1, 2023.[27]
Special elections that did not change partisan control
California's 20th Congressional District special election, 2024
A special election to fill the seat representing California's 20th Congressional District in the U.S. House was held in 2024. A primary was scheduled for March 19, 2024. The general election was held May 21, 2024. The filing deadline for the primary was January 25, 2024, and the deadline for write-in candidates was March 5, 2024.[28]
The special election filled the vacancy left by Kevin McCarthy (R), who resigned from the U.S. House of Representatives on December 31, 2023.[29][30]
New York's 26th Congressional District special election, 2024
A special election to fill the seat representing New York's 26th Congressional District in the U.S. House was held in 2024. The general election was held April 30, 2024. The filing deadline for partisan candidates was February 22, 2024, and the filing deadline for independent candidates was February 26, 2024.[31]
The special election filled the vacancy left by Brian Higgins (D), who resigned on February 2, 2024, to become the president of Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, New York.[32][33]
Utah's 2nd Congressional District special election, 2023
A special election to fill the seat representing Utah's 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House was held in 2023. The general election was held November 21, 2023. The primary election was held September 5, 2023. The filing deadline was July 5, 2023.[34]
The special election filled the vacancy of Chris Stewart (R). He resigned on September 15, 2023.
Riebe was elected to the Utah Senate in 2018.[35] She said she was running for Congress "to fight for the working families of our state, solve problems with common sense, and to represent folks who have had enough of one-party control."[36]
Maloy, a former Chief Legal Counsel in the office of Rep. Stewart. Maloy, said she would "fight to secure our border, protect our religious freedoms, defend the 2nd amendment, stop out of control spending, rein in inflation, and fight the abortion agenda."[37]
Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District special election, 2023
Former Deputy Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Gabe Amo (D) defeated Marine Veteran Gerry Leonard (R) to win the special election to fill the seat representing Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House on November 7, 2023. The primary election was held September 5, 2023. The filing deadline was June 30, 2023.[34]
The special election filled the vacancy left by David Cicilline (D), who resigned on May 31, 2023, to run the Rhode Island Foundation.[38][39]
Amo listed "preventing gun violence and ensuring safe communities ... protecting social security and medicare and lowering the cost of prescription drugs ... ensuring access to safe, legal abortion for all" and "fighting climate change" as some of his top issues.[40]
Leonard said the "national debt is the biggest issue that is going to affect our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren" and said the country needs to grow the economy by "enacting pro-growth policies, reducing red tape, and incentivizing small and mid-size businesses."[41]
Virginia's 4th Congressional District special election, 2023
A special election to fill the seat representing Virginia's 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House was held in 2023. The general election was held February 21, 2023. The filing deadline was December 23, 2022.[42]
The special election filled the vacancy left by Donald McEachin (D), who died on November 28, 2022.[43]
Historical election data
Special elections, 2013-2024
From 2013 to 2024, 79 special elections to the United States Congress were called during the 113th through 118th Congresses. During that time, special elections were called for 31 seats vacated by Democrats and 58 vacated by Republicans.
The table below details how many congressional seats changed parties as the result of a special election between 2013 and 2024. The numbers on the left side of the table reflect how many vacant seats were originally held by each party, while the numbers on the right side of the table show how many vacant seats each party won in special elections.
| Congressional special election vacancies and results, 113th Congress to 118th Congress | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Congress | Total elections held | Vacancies before elections | Seats held after elections | Net change | ||
| Democrats
|
Republicans
|
Democrats
|
Republicans
| |||
| 118th Congress | 6 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | +1D, -1R |
| 117th Congress | 17 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 10 | No change |
| 116th Congress | 10 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 6 | +1D, -1R |
| 115th Congress | 17 | 4 | 13 | 8 | 9 | +4 D, -4 R |
| 114th Congress | 7 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 5 | No change |
| 113th Congress | 16 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | No change |
| Averages | 12.17 | 4.33 | 7.83 | 6.67 | 6.83 | N/A |
| U.S. Senate special election partisan change from special elections, 113th Congress to 118th Congress | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of special election | After special election | ||||
| Democrats |
5 | 8 | ||||
| Republicans |
7 | 4 | ||||
| Total | 12 | 12 | ||||
| U.S. House special election partisan change from special elections, 113th Congress to 118th Congress | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of special election | After special election | ||||
| Democrats |
20 | 23 | ||||
| Republicans |
39 | 36 | ||||
| Total | 59 | 59 | ||||
Special elections, 1986-2012
The table below presents the results of special elections to Congress from 1986 to 2012. Contact Ballotpedia at editor@ballotpedia.org for access to earlier data.
| Results of special elections to Congress (1986-2012) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Election cycle | Total special elections | U.S. House elections | Seats changing partisan control | U.S. Senate elections | Seats changing partisan control | |
| 2011-2012 | 11 | 11 | None | None | None | |
| 2009-2010 | 15 | 10 | 3 (2 Democratic gains; 1 Republican gain) | 5 | 2 (all Republican gains) | |
| 2007-2008 | 14 | 12 | 3 (2 Republican gains; 1 Democratic gain) | 2 | None | |
| 2005-2006 | 12 | 12 | 3 (all Democratic gains) | None | None | |
| 2003-2004 | 6 | 6 | None | None | None | |
| 2001-2002 | 6 | 5 | 2 (all Democratic gains) | 1 | 1 (Republican gain) | |
| 1999-2000 | 9 | 8 | 1 (Republican gain) | 1 | 1 (Democratic gain) | |
| 1997-1998 | 3 | 3 | None | None | None | |
| 1995-1996 | 11 | 9 | 1 (Republican gain) | 2 | 1 (Democratic gain) | |
| 1993-1994 | 9 | 6 | 1 (Republican gain) | 3 | 3 (all Republican gains) | |
| 1991-1992 | 10 | 7 | 2 (all Republican gains) | 3 | 1 (Democratic gain) | |
| 1989-1990 | 10 | 8 | 1 (Democratic gain) | 2 | None | |
| 1987-1988 | 12 | 12 | 3 (2 Democratic gains; 1 Republican gain) | None | None | |
| 1985-1986 | 8 | 8 | 1 (Republican gain) | None | None | |
| Total | 136 | 117 | 21 (11 Democratic gains; 10 Republican gains) | 19 | 9 (6 Republican gains; 3 Democratic gains) | |
See also
- United States Congress
- United States Senate
- United States House of Representatives
- Filling vacancies in the U.S. Senate
Footnotes
- ↑ Tampa Bay Times, "Sen. Ben Sasse chosen as 13th UF president in unanimous vote of trustees," November 1, 2022
- ↑ Fox 42, "Sen. Ben Sasse has been confirmed as President of the University of Florida," November 9, 2022
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Siouxland News, "Nebraska's Ben Sasse resigning from US Senate," December 5, 2022
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 KETV Omaha, "Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen announces Pete Ricketts will replace US Sen. Ben Sasse," January 12, 2023
- ↑ Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, "Governor Gavin Newsom Appoints Laphonza Butler to Complete Senator Feinstein’s Term in the U.S. Senate," Oct. 1, 2023
- ↑ The Guardian, "House Republican cites threats and swatting of family as reasons for quitting," accessed May 16, 2024
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' presidential results by congressional district for 2020, 2016, and 2012," accessed April 6, 2021
- ↑ Ohiosos.gov,"SECRETARY LAROSE HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES FOR OHIO’S 6TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SPECIAL ELECTION," January 4, 2024
- ↑ The Hill, "House GOP majority to shrink to 2 with Ohio lawmaker’s early resignation," January 2, 2024
- ↑ Governor of Colorado, "Executive Order: Ordering a Congressional Vacancy Election in the Fourth Congressional District of Colorado," March 23, 2024
- ↑ CBS News, "Who are the candidates running in Colorado's Congressional District 4 special election and primary elections?" March 21, 2024
- ↑ Office of the New Jersey Governor, "Governor Murphy Issues Writ for Special Election to Fill the Seat of U.S. Representative Donald M. Payne, Jr." May 3, 2024
- ↑ NJ.com, "N.J. congressman Donald Payne Jr. dies," accessed April 24, 2024
- ↑ State of Wisconsin, Office of the Governor, "Executive Order #226 - Relating to a Special Election for the Eight Congressional District," accessed May 16, 2024
- ↑ The Guardian, "House Republican cites threats and swatting of family as reasons for quitting," accessed May 16, 2024
- ↑ 270towin, "Historical Timeline," accessed March 25, 2022
- ↑ 270towin, "California," accessed October 17, 2023
- ↑ 270towin, "Nebraska," accessed March 7, 2023
- ↑ Tampa Bay Times, "Sen. Ben Sasse chosen as 13th UF president in unanimous vote of trustees," November 1, 2022
- ↑ Fox 42, "Sen. Ben Sasse has been confirmed as President of the University of Florida," November 9, 2022
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Summary of Qualifications and Requirements for the Office of United States Senator, Partial/Unexpired Term," accessed October 17, 2023
- ↑ Politico, "Democrats pick Suozzi to replace George Santos in special election," December 7, 2023
- ↑ Politico, "New York Republicans pick Mazi Melesa Pilip to succeed George Santos," December 14, 2023
- ↑ CNN, "New York Democrats nominate former congressman for special election to succeed George Santos," December 7, 2023
- ↑ Politico, "Support for Israel at heart of crucial New York special election," December 15, 2023
- ↑ Politico, "Suozzi on ‘clueless’ calls to limit Israel aid," January 8, 2024
- ↑ Associated Press, "The House expels Rep. George Santos. An ethics report had accused him of breaking federal law," December 1, 2023
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Congressional District 20* - Special Election," accessed January 11, 2024
- ↑ Axios, "Kevin McCarthy to resign from Congress at end of December," accessed December 6, 2023
- ↑ The Sun, "McCarthy officially resigns from Congress," accessed December 20, 2023
- ↑ New York Board of Elections, "OFFICIAL SPECIAL ELECTION POLITICAL CALENDAR, 26th Congressional District (Erie and Niagara Counties)," accessed February 14, 2024
- ↑ WIVB 4, "Brian Higgins announces plans to resign from Congress, set to take top Shea’s job," accessed December 11, 2023
- ↑ The Buffalo News, "Brian Higgins to leave Congress on Friday" January 27, 2024
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 Utah.gov, "WRIT OF ELECTION, PROCLAMATION, AND NOTICE OF ELECTION 2023-1P," accessed June 9, 2023 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "writ" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Riebe for Congress, "About," accessed October 20, 2023
- ↑ Riebe for Congress, "Home," accessed October 20, 2023
- ↑ Celeste for Congress, "Meet Celeste," accessed October 20, 2023
- ↑ CNN, "Rep. David Cicilline to resign from Congress June 1 to run foundation," February 21, 2023
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Office of the First Congressional District of Rhode Island to Remain Open to Serve and Assist Constituents," accessed August 15, 2023
- ↑ Gabe Amo, Democrat for Congress, "GABE'S PLAN TO FIGHT FOR YOU," accessed October 20, 2023
- ↑ WPRI, "Meet the Candidates: Gerry Leonard," October 6, 2023
- ↑ Governor of Virginia Glenn Youngkin, "Governor Glenn Youngkin Sets Special Election for Virginia's 4th Congressional District," December 12, 2022
- ↑ WTVR, "Rep. Donald McEachin passes away at 61 after battle with colorectal cancer," November 28, 2022
- ↑ Both general election candidates were Republicans.
- ↑ This race was unopposed.
- ↑ 46.0 46.1 Both general election candidates were Democrats.
- ↑ Lamb won by a margin of 0.4 percentage points.
- ↑ Wild won by a margin of 0.2 percentage points.
- ↑ The state Board of Elections declined to certify the results of the 2018 election following allegations of absentee ballot fraud.
- ↑ Collins won by 0.3 percentage points.
- ↑ This special election was called to fill the vacancy left by 2020 Congressman-elect Luke Letlow (R), who died before being sworn in to Congress.
- ↑ Runoff MOV between two Republican candidates.
- ↑ Runoff MOV between two Democratic candidates.
- ↑ Runoff MOV between two Republican candidates.
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