Michigan's at-large congressional district may refer to a few different occasions when a statewide at-large district was used for elections to the United States House of Representatives from Michigan.
Prior to Michigan's admittance as a state of the Union in 1837, congressional delegates for Michigan Territory were elected from Michigan Territory's at-large congressional district. The first elected U.S. representative from the state was elected October 5 and 6, 1835. However, due to Michigan's dispute with Ohio over the Toledo Strip, Congress refused to accept his credentials until it admitted Michigan to the Union as a state on January 26, 1837.
In 1912, Patrick H. Kelley was elected congressman at-large after Michigan gained one seat due to reapportionment following the 1910 census, but Michigan did not redraw its congressional districts until 1913.
In 1962, Neil Staebler was elected as an at-large candidate after the 1960 census indicated Michigan would gain a seat in the House of Representatives, but the 19th district had not been created at the time of the election.
List of members representing the district
| Member | Party | Tenure | Cong ress |
Electoral history |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District created January 26, 1837 | ||||
 Isaac E. Crary (Marshall) |
Democratic | January 26, 1837 – March 3, 1841 |
24th 25th 26th |
Elected in 1835. Re-elected in 1837. Re-elected in 1838. Retired. |
 Jacob M. Howard (Detroit) |
Whig | March 4, 1841 – March 3, 1843 |
27th | Elected in 1840. Redistricted to the 1st district and lost re-election. |
| District inactive until after the 1910 United States census. | ||||
 Patrick H. Kelley (Lansing) |
Republican | March 4, 1913 – March 3, 1915 |
63rd | Elected in 1912. Redistricted to the 6th district. |
| Seat inactive until after the 1960 United States census. | ||||
 Neil Staebler (Ann Arbor) |
Democratic | January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1965 |
88th | Elected in 1962. Retired to run for Governor of Michigan. |
| Seat eliminated January 3, 1965 | ||||
References
- Martis, Kenneth C. (1989). The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
- Martis, Kenneth C. (1982). The Historical Atlas of United States Congressional Districts. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
- Congressional Biographical Directory of the United States 1774–present