1846 and 1847 United States Senate elections

The United States Senate elections of 1846 and 1847 were elections which had the Democratic Party gain four seats in the United States Senate.

As these elections were prior to ratification of the seventeenth amendment, Senators were chosen by state legislatures.

Results
Senate Party Division, 30th Congress (1847–1849)


 * Majority Party: Democratic (34–38)
 * Minority Party: Whig (20–21)
 * Other Parties: Independent Democratic (1)
 * Total Seats: 58–60

Before the elections
After the February 1846 elections in Texas.

Special elections during the 29th Congress
In these special elections, the winners were seated during 1846 or in 1847 before March 4; ordered by election date.

Races leading to the 30th Congress
In these regular elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1847; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats.

Special elections during the 30th Congress
In this special election, the winner was elected in 1847 after March 4.

Iowa
Iowa became a state in December 1846, but did not elect its senators until December 1848.

Louisiana
Alexander Barrow (W) died December 29, 1846. Pierre Soulé (D) was elected January 21, 1847 just to finish the term. Solomon W. Downs (D) was elected to the next term.

New Hampshire
Democratic appointee Benning W. Jenness lost the June 13, 1846 election to finish the term and the election the same day to the next term. Joseph Cilley (Liberty) was elected to finish the term, but lost the election to the next term. John P. Hale was (Independent Democratic) was elected to the next term and would later become a Free Soiler.

Virginia
William S. Archer (W) lost re-election to Democrat Robert M. T. Hunter.

Virginia (Special)
Isaac S. Pennybacker (D), who was not up for election, died January 12, 1847. James Murray Mason (D) was elected January 21, 1847.