Former congressional district
California's at-large congressional district Created 1849 1883 Eliminated 1865 1885 Years active 1849-1865 1883-1885
After statehood was achieved on September 9, 1850 and until 1865, California elected its congressional representatives statewide at-large — two representatives from September 11, 1850 to 1861, and 3 representatives from 1861 to 1865.
Also, from 1883 to 1885, California elected two of its six representatives to the United States House of Representatives statewide at-large .
List of members representing the district [ edit ] Congress and years Seat A Seat B Seat C Member Party Electoral history Member Party Electoral history Member Party Electoral history 31st September 11, 1850 – March 3, 1851 George Wright (San Francisco ) Independent Elected in 1849 . Retired. Edward Gilbert (San Francisco ) Democratic Elected in 1849 . Retired. 32nd March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853 Edward C. Marshall (Sonora ) Democratic Elected late in 1851 . Retired. Joseph W. McCorkle (Marysville ) Democratic Elected late in 1851 . Lost renomination. 33rd March 3, 1853 – March 3, 1855 Milton Latham (Sacramento ) Democratic Elected in 1852 . Retired. James A. McDougall (San Francisco ) Democratic Elected in 1852 . Lost re-election. 34th March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1857 James W. Denver (Weaverville ) Democratic Elected in 1854 . Retired. Philemon T. Herbert (Mariposa City ) Democratic Elected in 1854 . Retired after manslaughter acquittal 35th March 4, 1857 – March 3, 1859 Joseph C. McKibbin (Downieville ) Democratic Elected in 1856 . Lost re-election. Charles L. Scott (Sonora ) Democratic Elected in 1856 .Re-elected in 1859 . Retired. 36th March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1861 John C. Burch (Weaverville ) Democratic Elected in 1859 . Retired. 37th March 4, 1861 – June 3, 1862 Timothy Phelps (San Mateo ) Republican Elected in 1861 . Retired. Aaron A. Sargent (Nevada City ) Republican Elected in 1861 . Retired. Vacant June 3, 1862 – March 3, 1863 Frederick F. Low (San Francisco ) Republican Elected in 1861 but not permitted by the House to take his seat. Subsequently qualified under special Act of Congress.[citation needed ] Retired. 38th March 4, 1863 – March 3, 1865 Cornelius Cole (Santa Cruz ) Republican Elected in 1863 .[data missing ] William Higby (Mokelumne Hill ) Republican Elected in 1863 . Redistricted to the 2nd district . Thomas B. Shannon (Quincy ) Republican Elected in 1863 . Retired. 39th 40th 41st 42nd 43rd 44th 45th 46th 47th March 4, 1865 – March 3, 1883 Seat eliminated Seat eliminated Seat eliminated 48th March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1885 John R. Glascock (Oakland ) Democratic Elected in 1882 .Lost re-election in the 3rd district . Charles A. Sumner (San Francisco ) Democratic Elected in 1882 .Lost re-election in the 2nd district .
In these elections, the top two vote-getters (three from 1861 to 1863) were elected to the House.
The election was held November 13, 1849.
The 1851 election was held October 7, 1851.
The election was held November 2, 1852.
The election was held September 6, 1854.
The election was held November 4, 1856.
The election was held September 7, 1859.
United States House of Representatives election in California, Party Votes Percentage Seats Democratic 161,106 79.4% 2 Republican 41,739 20.6% 0 Totals 202,845 100.0% 2
The election was held September 4, 1861.
The election was held September 2, 1863.
California elected two at-large representatives in addition to its four representatives in districts in 1882. For these results see 1882 United States House of Representatives elections in California .
Dubin, Michael J. (1998). United States Congressional elections, 1788-1997 : the official results of the elections of the 1st through 105th Congresses . Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 1998.
The at-large seats only existed from 1850 to 1865 and from 1883 to 1885. The 53rd district is obsolete. See also California's past and present representatives , senators , and delegations