Washington's at-large congressional district

At different times in its history, Washington elected one or more U.S. representatives at-large statewide.

Washington's at-large congressional district
Obsolete district
Created1889
1913
1953
Eliminated1909
1915
1959
Years active1889-1909
1913-1915
1953-1959

From statehood in 1889 until 1909, Washington elected all of its U.S. representatives statewide. In 1909, Washington was divided into congressional districts for purposes of electing representatives.

Following the 1950 census, Washington was granted a seventh seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, but the state legislature was unable to agree on a plan to create a geographic district for the seat until 1957, so the seat was filled by a representative elected statewide.[1]

From statehood in 1889 to 1893, Washington elected one representative at-large statewide.

From 1893 to 1903, Washington elected two representatives at-large statewide, then added a third seat in 1903. The third seat at large continued until 1909, when all representatives were elected from districts.

From 1913 to 1915, Washington elected two representatives at-large statewide, with the remaining three representatives elected from districts.

From 1953 to 1959, Washington elected one representative at-large statewide, with the remaining six representatives elected from districts.

After 1959, all representatives were elected from districts.

List of representatives

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Cong
ress
Years Seat A Seat B Seat C
Representative Party Electoral history Representative Party Electoral history Representative Party Electoral history
51 November 20, 1889 –
March 3, 1891
 
John L. Wilson
(Spokane)
Republican Elected in 1889.
Re-elected in 1890.
Re-elected in 1892.
Retired to run for U.S. senator and resigned when elected.
Seat added in 1893 Seat added in 1903
52 March 4, 1891 –
March 3, 1893
53 March 4, 1893 –
February 18, 1895
 
William H. Doolittle
(Tacoma)
Republican Elected in 1892.
Re-elected in 1894.
Lost re-election.
February 18, 1895 –
March 3, 1895
Vacant
54 March 4, 1895 –
March 3, 1897
 
Samuel C. Hyde
(Spokane)
Republican Elected in 1894.
Lost re-election.
55 March 4, 1897 –
March 3, 1899
 
William C. Jones
(Spokane)
Silver Republican Elected in 1896.
Lost re-election.
 
J. Hamilton Lewis

(Seattle)

Democratic Elected in 1896.
Lost re-election.
56 March 4, 1899 –
March 3, 1901
 
Wesley L. Jones
(North Yakima)
Republican Elected in 1898.
Re-elected in 1900.
Re-elected in 1902.
Re-elected in 1904.
Re-elected in 1906.
Retired to run for U.S. senator.
 
Francis W. Cushman
(Tacoma)
Republican Elected in 1898.
Re-elected in 1900.
Re-elected in 1902.
Re-elected in 1904.
Re-elected in 1906.
Redistricted to the 2nd district.
57 March 4, 1901 –
March 3, 1903
58 March 4, 1903 –
March 3, 1905
 
William E. Humphrey
(Seattle)
Republican Elected in 1902.
Re-elected in 1904.
Re-elected in 1906.
Redistricted to the 1st district.
59 March 4, 1905 –
March 3, 1907
60 March 4, 1907 –
March 3, 1909
6162 March 4, 1909 –
March 3, 1913
Inactive Inactive Seat eliminated
63 March 4, 1913 –
March 3, 1915
 
James W. Bryan
(Seattle)
Progressive Elected in 1912.
Lost renomination.
 
Jacob Falconer
(Everett)
Progressive Elected in 1912.
Retired to run for U.S. senator.
6482 March 4, 1916 –
January 2, 1953
Inactive Seat eliminated
83 January 3, 1953 –
January 3, 1957
 
Donald H. Magnuson
(Seattle)
Democratic Elected in 1952.
Re-elected in 1954.
Redistricted to the 7th district.
84 January 3, 1955 –
January 3, 1957
85 January 3, 1957 –
January 3, 1959

References

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  1. ^ Holden, Ashley E. "Seventh District Ahead." The Spokesman-Review, Nov. 17, 1956, p. 4.
  • Martis, Kenneth C. (1989). The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
  • Martis, Kenneth C. (1982). The Historical Atlas of United States Congressional Districts. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
  • Congressional Biographical Directory of the United States 1774–present