The 1982 United States House of Representatives elections was an election for the United States House of Representatives held on November 2, 1982, to elect members to serve in the 98th United States Congress. They occurred in the middle of PresidentRonald Reagan's first term, whose popularity was sinking due to economic conditions under the 1982 recession. The President's Republican Party lost seats in the House, which could be viewed as a response to the President's approval at the time. Unlike most midterm election cycles, the number of seats lost—26 seats to the Democratic Party—was a comparatively large swap. It included most of the seats that had been gained the previous election, cementing the Democratic majority.[1] Coincidentally, the number of seats the Democrats picked up (26), was the exact amount the Republicans would have needed to win the House majority. It was the first election held after the 1980 United States redistricting cycle.
In the previous election of 1980 Republicans gained many seats as the result of President Ronald Reagan's coattails. In 1982, 14 freshman representatives who ran for re-election lost their seats.
To date, this election marks the last time the Democrats picked up a House seat in West Virginia. It was also the last time the party holding the White House won independent voters in a congressional midterm election until 2022.[2]
Thirty-nine representatives retired. Thirty-one of those seats were held by the same party, eight seats changed party.
Democrats
Eighteen Democrats retired. Eleven of those seats were held by Democrats, four were won by Republicans, and three seats were eliminated in redistricting.
Twenty-one Republicans retired. Eleven of those seats were held by Republicans, four were won by Democrats, and six seats were eliminated in redistricting.
As a result of redistricting, many incumbents were forced to compete against each other in the same district, which resulted in a larger number of incumbents being defeated in primaries.
In primary elections
Ten representatives lost renomination: Six lost in redistricting battles pitting incumbents against each other, and four lost nomination to non-incumbent challengers.
Democrats
Six Democrats lost renomination: three in redistricting races and three to a non-incumbent challenger. All the seats were held by Democrats.
Twenty-six incumbent Republicans lost re-election; five loss to Democratic incumbents while twenty-one loss to non-incumbent challengers, ten of whom were first elected in 1980.
Incumbent resigned March 9, 1982 to become Associate Justice of the California Court of Appeals. New member elected July 13, 1982. Democratic hold. Winner was subsequently re-elected in November.
Incumbent died September 7, 1982. New member elected November 2, 1982. Democratic hold. Successor was also elected the same day to the next term; see below.
Illinois lost two seats at reapportionment, removing two districts with Republican incumbents, and at the same time two other Republican incumbents lost re-election in altered districts.
Indiana lost one seat at reapportionment; Republicans in the legislature deleted two Democratic districts and added a new Republican district, although this strategy was offset by the unexpected defeat of incumbent H. Joel Deckard.
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Martis, Kenneth C. (1989). The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress, 1789–1989. Prentice Hall College Div. ISBN0-02-920170-5.
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