2009 United States House of Representatives elections
There were five special elections in 2009 to fill vacant seats in the United States House of Representatives.
One seat has switched parties, from Republican to Democratic, as the result of a special election.
Summary
| District | Election date (links to special election article) |
Prior incumbent | Reason for vacancy | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York 20th | March 31, 2009 | Kirsten Gillibrand (D) | Resigned January 26, 2009, to accept appointment as United States Senator to replace Hillary Clinton | Scott Murphy (D) |
| Illinois 5th | April 7, 2009 | Rahm Emanuel (D) | Resigned before the 111th Congress to become Barack Obama's White House Chief of Staff | Michael Quigley (D) |
| California 32nd | July 14, 2009 | Hilda Solis (D) | Resigned February 24, 2009, to become Secretary of Labor | Judy Chu (D) |
| California 10th | November 3, 2009 | Ellen Tauscher (D) | Resigned June 26, 2009, to become Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs | John Garamendi (D) |
| New York 23rd | November 3, 2009 | John M. McHugh (R) | Resigned September 21, 2009, to become Secretary of the Army | Bill Owens (D) |
California's 10th congressional district
On June 26, 2009, Democrat Ellen Tauscher resigned to become Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. Democrat John Garamendi held the seat for the Democrats on November 3, 2009, defeating Republican David Harmer.
California's 32nd congressional district
On February 24, 2009, Democrat Hilda Solis resigned to become United States Secretary of Labor. Judy Chu, also a Democrat, won the election, defeating Republican Betty Chu by a wide margin.[1]
Illinois's 5th congressional district
On January 2, 2009, Democrat Rahm Emanuel resigned one day before the end of the previous Congress after being named White House Chief of Staff. Democrat Michael Quigley won the election April 7, 2009 election to replace him, handily defeating Republican Rosanna Pulido with better than a two-to-one share of the vote.
New York's 20th congressional district
On January 26, 2009, Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand resigned when appointed to fill Hillary Clinton's U.S. Senate seat. Scott Murphy, a fellow Democrat, won the election held March 31, 2009, defeating Republican Jim Tedisco by fewer than 700 votes. Because of the slim margin, Tedisco did not concede the race until more than three weeks later, when overseas ballots had been counted.
New York's 23rd congressional district
On September 21, 2009, Republican John M. McHugh resigned to become United States Secretary of the Army.[2] On November 3, 2009, Democrat Bill Owens defeated Conservative Doug Hoffman and Republican Dede Scozzafava in a race that garnered considerable press attention. Days before the election, Scozzafava dropped out of the race, then endorsed the Owens, the Democrat.[3]
References
- "Democrat claims US House seat in Calif". The Washington Post. July 14, 2009.
- Weiner, Mark (September 16, 2009). "Rep. John McHugh is confirmed as Secretary of the Army". Syracuse Post-Standard. syracuse.com.
- "Scozzafava Backs Ownes, Stuns GOP: Lifelong Republican throws support to former Democratic rival". Watertown Daily Times. November 1, 2009. Archived from the original on November 3, 2009. Retrieved November 3, 2009.