1852 and 1853 United States House of Representatives elections


Elections to the United States House of Representatives for the 33rd Congress were held at various dates in different states from August 1852 to November 1853.
Democrats increased their House majority while electing Franklin Pierce to the Presidency. Though sectionalism remained a problem, the parties unified around the presidential campaign. Two small parties, the Constitutional Unionists and States' Rights parties, collapsed prior to this election, while the anti-slavery Free Soil Party retained four seats. One Independent, Caleb Lyon, was elected from New York.

Election summaries

Following the 1850 Census, the House was reapportioned. In the initial apportionment bill, the number of seats was unchanged at 233, but later one seat was added to California's delegation, increasing the total apportionment to 234, due to returns from California being determined to be incomplete.

California

Note: From statehood to 1864, California's representatives were elected at-large, with the top two vote-getters winning election from 1849 to 1858; in 1860 when California gained a seat in the House the top three vote-getters were elected.
DistrictIncumbentPartyFirst
elected
ResultCandidates

Edward C. MarshallDemocratic1851Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic hold.

Joseph W. McCorkleDemocratic1851Incumbent lost renomination.
New member elected.
Democratic hold.

Florida

Wisconsin

DistrictIncumbentPartyFirst
elected
ResultCandidates
Charles DurkeeFree Soil1848Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Democratic gain.
Ben C. EastmanDemocratic1850Incumbent re-elected.
James Duane DotyInd. Democratic1848Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic gain.

Non-voting delegates