1908 United States House of Representatives elections

The 1908 United States House of Representatives elections were held for the most part on November 3, 1908, with Oregon, Maine, and Vermont holding theirs early in either June or September. They coincided with the 1908 United States presidential election, which William Howard Taft won. Elections were held for all 391 seats of the United States House of Representatives, representing 46 states, to serve in the 61st United States Congress.

1908 United States House of Representatives elections
June 1, September 1, September 14, and November 3, 1908
All 391 seats in the United States House of Representatives
196 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Joseph Cannon Champ Clark
Party Republican Democratic
Leader's seat Illinois 18th Missouri 9th
Last election 223 seats 167 seats
Seats won 219 172
Seat change 4 5
Popular vote 7,227,470 6,552,986
Percentage 50.05% 45.38%
Swing 0.01% 1.81%
  Third party
 
Party Independent
Last election 1 seat
Seats won 0
Seat change 1
Popular vote 61,499
Percentage 0.43%
Swing
Speaker before election

Joseph Cannon
Republican

 Elected Speaker

Joseph Cannon
Republican

Taft was not as popular as his predecessor, Theodore Roosevelt, but won with Roosevelt's backing, and his Republican Party lost only a handful of seats to the opposition Democrats. Without any striking national issues, the Republicans were able to remain in control. Regional issues led to some changes in House membership, but new Democrats who were elected by dissatisfied industrial workers were balanced out by new Republicans who gained seats in districts with a strong middle class presence.

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