The 1890–91 United States Senate elections were held on various dates in various states. As these U.S. Senate elections were prior to the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913, senators were chosen by state legislatures. Senators were elected over a wide range of time throughout 1890 and 1891, and a seat may have been filled months late or remained vacant due to legislative deadlock.^[1] In these elections, terms were up for the senators in Class 3.

Quick Facts 29 of the 88 seats in the United States Senate (as well as special elections) 45 seats needed for a majority, Majority party ...

1890–91 United States Senate elections

← 1888 & 1889 Dates vary by state 1892 & 1893 →
29 of the 88 seats in the United States Senate (as well as special elections) 45 seats needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party   Leader George F. Edmunds[lower-alpha 1] (retired) Arthur Pue Gorman[lower-alpha 2] Party Republican Democratic Leader since March 4, 1885 March 4, 1889 Leader's seat Vermont Maryland Seats before 38 37 Seats won 12 14 Seats after 47 39 Seat change 9 2 Seats up 16 12   Third party Fourth party   Party Populist Independent Seats before 0 0 Seats won 1 1 Seats after 1 1 Seat change 1 1 Seats up 0 0
Results of the elections:      Democratic gain      Democratic hold      Republican gain      Republican hold      Populist gain      Independent gain      Legislature failed to elect
Majority Party before election Republican Elected Majority Party Republican

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The Republican Party lost four seats, though still retaining a slim majority. That majority was increased, however, upon the admission of two more states with Republican senators.

Senate party division, 52nd Congress (1891–1893)

• Majority party: Republican (47)
• Minority party: Democratic (39)
• Other parties: Populist (2)
• Total seats: 88

In July 1890, Idaho became a state. In November, Fred Dubois helped engineer a plan for the Idaho Legislature to effectively elect three people to the U.S. Senate: Governor George Shoup to the class 2 seat up for election in 1894, state constitutional convention member William J. McConnell to serve for the remainder of the Fifty-first United States Congress, ending in March 1891, and Dubois himself to succeed McConnell and serve a full six-year term in the class 3 seat beginning in March 1891.

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Ephraim King Wilson II was re-elected by an unknown margin of votes, for the Class 3 seat.^[14]

The New York election was held January 20 and 21, 1891, by the New York State Legislature.

Republican William M. Evarts had been elected to this seat in 1885, and his term would expire on March 3, 1891.

At the State election in November 1889, 19 Republicans and 13 Democrats were elected for a two-year term (1890–1891) in the State Senate. At the State election in November 1890, 68 Democrats and 60 Republicans were elected for the session of 1891 to the Assembly. The 114th New York State Legislature met from January 6 to April 30, 1891, at Albany, New York.

The Democratic caucus met on January 19, 74 State legislators attended, and State Senator John C. Jacobs presided. Governor David B. Hill was nominated by acclamation.

The Republican caucus met immediately after the Democratic caucus ended, Assemblyman James W. Husted presided. They re-nominated the incumbent U.S. Senator William M. Evarts unanimously.

On January 20, both Houses of the State legislature took ballots separately. The incumbent U.S. Senator Evarts was the choice of the State Senate, Governor Hill the choice of the Assembly. On January 21, both Houses met in joint session, and comparing nominations, found that they disagreed and proceeded to a joint ballot. Governor Hill was elected by a majority of 2, every member of the Legislature being present.

More information House, Democratic ...

House	Democratic		Republican
State Senate (32 members)	David B. Hill	13	Y William M. Evarts	19
State Assembly (128 members)	Y David B. Hill	65	William M. Evarts	58
Joint ballot (160 members)	Y David B. Hill	81	William M. Evarts	79

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The seat became vacant on March 4, 1891. David B. Hill remained in office as Governor of New York until December 31, 1891, and took his seat only on January 7, 1892, missing actually only one month of session. There were no special sessions during the 52nd United States Congress and the regular session began only on December 7, 1891. Hill served a single term, and remained in the U.S. Senate until March 3, 1897. In January 1897, Hill was defeated for re-election by Republican Thomas C. Platt who had been a U.S. Senator briefly in 1881.

The Pennsylvania election was held on January 20, 1891. J. Donald Cameron was re-elected by the Pennsylvania General Assembly to the United States Senate.^[15]

The Pennsylvania General Assembly, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, convened on January 20, 1891. Incumbent Republican J. Donald Cameron, who was elected in an 1877 special election and re-elected in 1879 and 1885, was a successful candidate for re-election to another term. The results of the vote of both houses combined are as follows:

• 1890 United States elections
  • 1890 United States House of Representatives elections
• 51st United States Congress
• 52nd United States Congress