Congressional Seats Gained/Lost By The President's Party in Mid-Term Elections

Mid-Term Elections, 1934-2006

A mid-term election occurs two years after a Presidential election; one-third of the Senate and all of the seats in the House of Representatives are at stake. Conventional wisdom holds that the President's party will lose seats during a mid-term election.

In the 19 mid-term elections held since 1934, only twice has the President's party gained seats in both the Senate and the House: FDR's first mid-term election and George W. Bush's first mid-term election. On three other occasions, the President's party gained House seats and once it was a draw. On one occasion, the President's party gained Senate seats.

If a President serves two terms, generally speaking the greater loss occurs during his first mid-term election. Notable exceptions, again: FDR and GWB.