Vacancies & Successors
Historical Highlight
“When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.”
— U.S. Constitution, Article I, section 2, clause 4
House vacancies can be caused by death, resignation, declination, withdrawal, or House action, but the Constitution requires that they be filled by election. The law concerning Members elected to fill vacancies varies according to when the vacancy occurs and applicable state law.
All states, territories, and districts require special elections to fill any vacant House seats during the first session of a Congress. During the second session of a Congress, however, procedures often vary depending on the amount of time between the vacancy and the next general election. Section 8 of Title 2, United States Code, provides that a state governor can cause a special election in extraordinary circumstances; namely, a crisis in which the number of House vacancies exceeds 100.
In the 101st Congress (1989–1991), there were 15 vacancies. There were two vacancies at the beginning of the 101st Congress. Three vacancies remained unfilled for the remainder of the 101st Congress.
101st Congress, 1st Session
| State, District | Reason for Vacancy, Successor |
|---|---|
| Alabama, 3rd | The Honorable William Flynt Nichols (D) died on December 13, 1988, before the start of the 101st Congress and therefore was not sworn in as a Member of the 101st Congress.
|
| Indiana, 4th | The Honorable Daniel Coats (R) resigned from the 101st Congress on January 3, 1989, after the convening of Congress but before the administration of the oath of office, and therefore was not sworn in as a Member of the 101st Congress. |
| Wyoming, At-Large | The Honorable Richard B. Cheney (R) resigned from the 101st Congress on March 17, 1989. The Honorable Craig Thomas (R) was elected April 26, 1989, in a special election. Representative Thomas was added to the rolls of the House upon executing the oath of office on May 2, 1989. |
| Florida, 18th | The Honorable Claude Denson Pepper (D) died on May 30, 1989. The Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R) was elected August 29, 1989, in a special election. Representative Ros-Lethinen was added to the rolls of the House upon executing the oath of office on September 6, 1989. |
| California, 15th | The Honorable Tony Coelho (D) resigned from the 101st Congress on June 15, 1989. The Honorable Gary Condit (D) was elected September 12, 1989, in a special election. Representative Condit was added to the rolls of the House upon executing the oath of office on September 20, 1989. |
| Texas, 12th | The Honorable James C. Wright (D) resigned from the 101st Congress on June 30, 1989. The Honorable Preston M. (Pete) Geren (D) was elected September 12, 1989, in a special election. Representative Geren was added to the rolls of the House upon executing the oath of office on September 20, 1989. |
| Texas, 18th | The Honorable George Thomas (Mickey) Leland (D) died on August 7, 1989. The Honorable Craig A. Washington (D) was elected December 9, 1989, in a special election. Representative Washington was added to the rolls of the House upon executing the oath of office on January 23, 1990. |
| Mississippi, 5th | The Honorable Larkin I. Smith (R) died on August 13, 1989. The Honorable Gary (Gene) Taylor (D) was elected October 17, 1989, in a special election. Representative Taylor was added to the rolls of the House upon executing the oath of office on October 24, 1989. |
| New York, 14th | The Honorable Guy V. Molinari (R) resigned from the 101st Congress on December 31, 1989. The Honorable Susan Molinari (R) was elected March 20, 1990, in a special election. Representative Molinari was added to the rolls of the House upon executing the oath of office on March 27, 1990. |
101st Congress, 2nd Session
| State, District | Reason for Vacancy, Successor |
|---|---|
| New York, 18th | The Honorable Robert Garcia (D) resigned from the 101st Congress on January 7, 1990. The Honorable José E. Serrano (D) was elected March 20, 1990, in a special election. Representative Serrano was added to the rolls of the House upon executing the oath of office on March 28, 1990. |
| New Jersey, 1st | The Honorable James J. Florio (D) resigned from the 101st Congress on January 16, 1990. The Honorable Robert Ernest Andrews(D) was elected in a special election on November 6, 1990, after sine die adjournment of the House of Representatives. |
| Hawaii, 2nd | The Honorable Daniel K. Akaka (D) resigned from the 101st Congress on May 16, 1990. The Honorable Patsy T. Mink (D) was elected September 22, 1990, in a special election. Representative Mink was added to the rolls of the House upon executing the oath of office on September 27, 1990. |
| Ohio, 8th | The Honorable Donald E. "Buz" Lukens resigned from the 101st Congress on October 24, 1990. Vacancy through the remainder of the Congress. |
| New Hampshire, 1st | The Honorable Robert C. Smith (R) resigned from the 101st Congress on December 7, 1990. Vacancy through the remainder of the Congress. |
| Arkansas, 2nd | The Honorable Tommy F. Robinson resigned from the 101st Congress on December 31, 1990. Vacancy through the remainder of the Congress. |