Open Seats in Congress in the Upcoming 2007 Elections

Elections to Congress keep rolling into 2007. Three seats have come vacant since the opening of the 110^th Congress. A vacant Congressional seat can become vacant through the incumbent's death, resignation, or expulsion. They can also result when a district is created after the Census, when a new state is admitted to the union, or when district boundaries are declared unconstitutional by a court.

In the House, the seat remains vacant until a successor is elected. The office continues to function, under supervision of the Clerk of the House, and the staff is able to provide limited services to their constituents. The Governor of the state where the vacancy occurs sets a date for the special election. Frequently, the special election is scheduled to coincide with a regularly scheduled polling date-such as a mayoral election or a primary election. This is done to reduce costs, as opening the polls can easily cost millions of dollars. The winner of the special election is immediately qualified to take his or her seat in the House. Some terms are very short-former Rep. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs served in Congress for only 50 days at the end of the 109^th Congress.

There have been 59 special elections since 1990. Getting elected during a special election gives the winner outstanding job security. Fifty seven special election members remain in Congress. Some notable current members came to Congress by special election, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Minority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and the body's longest-serving member John Dingell (D-MI).

Neither party gained an advantage in special elections, with 29 Republican and 30 Democratic victors since 1990. Seats do change parties-four switched to the Republicans and three switched to Democrats. A special election can change party control of the House, although this has not occurred in recent decades.

Who runs for open seats? Since 1990, state legislators that represent similar districts have the greatest success- 65% of all victors were serving in the state house. Mayors, school board members, and county councilmembers account for another 20%. Former Congressmen also do well. Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX), Brian Bilbray (R-CA), and Ed Case (D-HI) have all reclaimed seats in Congress through special elections. More heartwarming are relatives of outgoing Congressmen. Jo Ann Emerson (R-VA), Lois Capps (D-CA), Mary Bono (R-CA), and Doris Matsui (D-CA) all were elected to replace their spouses who died in office. Bill Shuster (R-PA) replaced his father Bud, who resigned in 2001.

The 110^th Congress is on pace to have the most special elections in history, surpassing the 12 that occurred in the 101^st Congress in 1989-1991. As of May 2007, there are three vacancies in the House. Due to the Democrat's 31-seat majority, none of these vacancies threatens to change the party makeup of the House.

Rep. Charlie Norwood (R-GA) died of lung cancer only three weeks after being sworn in to his sixth term. A vigorous 10-way campaign is being waged to replace Congressman Norwood. The special election is scheduled for July 19^th, 2007. Norwoods replacement will likely be a Republican, as the district leans conservative.

Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA) died on April 22^nd of colon cancer. Governor Arnold Schwarzeneggar has not announced a date for the special election, but it will likely take place in July. This district is safe for the Democrats, as President Bush received only 25% of the vote in the district in 2004.

Rep. Marty Meehan (D-MA) has announced he will resign in July to become Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts- Lowell. Seven candidates have announced for the special election, which has not been scheduled.