Third-party and independent members of the United States Congress

Third-party and independent members of the United States Congress are generally rare. Although the Republican Party and Democratic Party have dominated U.S. politics in a two-party system since 1856, some independents and members of other political parties have also been elected to Congress or changed their party affiliation to such during their term in office.

Senators

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  Angus King of Maine Elected as an Independent; caucuses with the Democrats 2013–Present
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  Joe Lieberman of Connecticut Re-elected on the Connecticut for Lieberman ticket after losing the 2006 Democratic nomination. 1989–2013
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  Bernie Sanders of Vermont Elected as an Independent; caucuses with the Democrats; Democratic Party member from 2015-2016 and 2019-2020 while running for President 2007–Present
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  Dean Barkley of Minnesota Appointed for Independence Party of Minnesota
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  Jim Jeffords of Vermont Switched from Republican to Independent in 2001 1989–2007
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  Bob Smith of New Hampshire Switched from Republican to Independent in 1999 but switched back to Republican in 2000 1990–2003
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  James L. Buckley of New York Elected as a Conservative, lost re-election as a Republican in 1976 1971–1977
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  Harry F. Byrd Jr. of Virginia Switched from Democratic to Independent in 1970 1965–1983
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  Wayne Morse of Oregon Switched from Republican to Independent in 1953, then to Democratic in 1955. 1945–1969
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  John E. Miller of Arkansas Elected as an Independent, served as Democratic 1937–1941
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  Ernest Lundeen of Minnesota Elected as Farmer-Labor 1937–1940
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  George W. Norris of Nebraska Switched from Republican to Independent in 1936 1913–1943
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  Elmer Austin Benson of Minnesota Elected as Farmer-Labor 1935–1936
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  Robert M. La Follette of Wisconsin Switched from Republican to Progressive in 1934, then back to Republican in 1946 1925–1947
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  Magnus Johnson of Minnesota Elected as Farmer-Labor 1923–1925
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  Henrik Shipstead of Minnesota Elected as Farmer-Labor, switched to Republican in 1940 1923–1947
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  Miles Poindexter of Washington Switched from Republican to Progressive in 1912, switched back to Republican in 1915 1911–1923
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  Joseph M. Dixon of Montana Switched from Republican to Progressive in 1912 1907–1913
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  Henry Heitfeld of Idaho Elected as a Populist 1897–1903
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  William Alexander Harris of Kansas Elected as a Populist 1897–1903
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  Henry Moore Teller of Colorado Switched from Republican to Silver Republican in 1896, then to Democratic in 1903 1876–1909
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  Fred Dubois of Idaho Switched from Republican to Silver Republican in 1896 1891–1897
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  Frank J. Cannon of Utah Switched from Republican to Silver Republican in 1896 1896–1899
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  Richard F. Pettigrew of South Dakota Switched from Republican to Silver Republican in 1896 1889–1901
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  Lee Mantle of Montana Switched from Republican to Silver Republican in 1896 1895–1899
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  John P. Jones of Nevada Switched from Republican to Silver in 1895, then back to Republican in 1901 1873–1903
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  William Morris Stewart of Nevada Switched from Republican to Silver in 1893, then back to Republican in 1901 1887–1905
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  William V. Allen of Nebraska Elected as a Populist 1893–1901
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  James H. Kyle of South Dakota Elected as a Populist 1891–1901
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  Marion Butler of North Carolina Elected as a Populist 1895–1901
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  William A. Peffer of Kansas Elected as a Populist 1891–1897
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  Harrison H. Riddleberger of Virginia Elected as a Readjuster 1883–1889
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  William Mahone of Virginia Elected as a Readjuster 1881–1887
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  David Davis of Illinois Elected as an Independent 1877–1883
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  Newton Booth of California Elected as an Anti-Monopolist, served as an Ind. Republican 1875–1881
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  Orris S. Ferry of Connecticut Elected as a Liberal Republican in 1872 1867–1875
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  Morgan C. Hamilton of Texas Switched from Republican to Liberal Republican in 1872, switched back to Republican in 1875 1870–1877
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  Charles Sumner of Massachusetts Elected as Free Soil Democratic in 1851, became a Republican in 1855, then became a Liberal Republican in 1872 1851-1874
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  David T. Patterson of Tennessee Elected as a Unionist in 1866, became a Republican by 1867 1866–1869
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  Joseph S. Fowler of Tennessee Elected as an Unconditional Unionist in 1866, became a Republican by 1867 1866–1871
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  John Creswell of Maryland Elected as an Unconditional Unionist in 1864 1865–1867
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  Benjamin Gratz Brown of Missouri Elected as an Unconditional Unionist in 1863, became a Republican by 1865 1863–1867
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  Peter G. Van Winkle of West Virginia Elected as a Unionist in 1863, became a Republican by 1867 1863–1869
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  Reverdy Johnson of Maryland Elected as a Unionist in 1863, switched to Democratic by 1865 1863–1868
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  Lemuel J. Bowden of Virginia Elected as a Unionist in 1863 1863–1864
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  Thomas Holliday Hicks of Maryland Elected as an Unconditional Unionist in 1862 1862–1865
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  Robert Wilson of Missouri Appointed as an Unconditional Unionist in 1862 1862-1863
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  John B. Henderson of Missouri Elected as an Unconditional Unionist in 1862, became a Republican by 1865 1862–1869
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  Garrett Davis of Kentucky Elected as a Unionist in 1861, switched to Democratic by 1867 1861-1872
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  John S. Carlile of Virginia Elected as a Unionist in 1861
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  Waitman T. Willey of Virginia Elected as an Unconditional Unionist in 1861 1861-1863

Representatives

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  U.S. Congressman (2017–2021) Paul Mitchell of Michigan's 10th – First elected as a Republican, switched to independent in 2020
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  U.S. Congressman (2011–2021) Justin Amash of Michigan's 3rd – First elected as a Republican, switched to independent in 2019 and then to Libertarian in 2020
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  U.S. Congressman (1997–2009) Virgil Goode of Virginia 5th – Switched from Democratic to independent in 2000, then to Republican in 2002
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  U.S. Congresswoman (1996–2013) Jo Ann Emerson
  of Missouri 8th – First elected as a Republican, re-elected as an independent due to state law, then rejoined Republicans in early 1997
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  U.S. Congressman (1991–2007) Bernie Sanders of Vermont at-large – Elected as an independent
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  U.S. Congressman (1979–1987) William Carney of New York 1st – Elected as a Conservative and later sat with Republicans, switched to Republican in 1985
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  U.S. Congressman (1951–1955) Frazier Reams of Ohio 9th – Elected as an independent
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  U.S. Congressman (1949–1955) Franklin Delano Roosevelt Jr. of New York 20th – Elected as a Liberal, re-elected as Democratic
  
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  U.S. Congressman (1948–1949) Leo Isacson – Elected from the American Labor Party ticket
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  U.S. Congressman (1943–1955) Harold Hagen – Elected as a member of the Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party in 1942
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  U.S. Congressman (1937–1939) John Bernard – Elected as a member of the Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party in 1936
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  U.S. Congressman (1937–1939) Dewey Johnson – Elected as a member of the Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party in 1936
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  U.S. Congressman (1937–1941, 1945–1953) Franck R. Havenner – Elected as a Progressive
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  U.S. Congressman (1937–1939) Henry Teigan – Elected as a member of the Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party in 1936
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  U.S. Congressman (1935–1939) Thomas Ryum Amlie – Elected as a Progressive
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  U.S. Congressman (1935–1939) Gerald J. Boileau – Elected as a Progressive
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  U.S. Congressman (1935–1943) Rich T. Buckler – Elected as a member of the Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party in 1934
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  U.S. Congressman (1935–1943) Bernard J. Gehrmann – Elected as a Progressive
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  U.S. Congressman (1935–1945) Harry Sauthoff – Elected as a Progressive
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  U.S. Congressman (1935–1939) George J. Schneider – Elected as a Progressive
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  U.S. Congressman (1935–1944) Merlin Hull – Elected as a Progressive
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  U.S. Congressman (1935–1937, 1939–1945) Vito Marcantonio – Elected from the American Labor Party ticket in 1938
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  U.S. Congressman (1935–1939) Gardner R. Withrow – Elected as a Progressive
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  U.S. Congressman (1933–1935) Henry M. Arens – Elected as a member of the Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party in 1932
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  U.S. Congressman (1933–1935) Magnus Johnson – Elected as a member of the Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party in 1932
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  U.S. Congressman (1933–1937) Ernest Lundeen – Elected as a member of the Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party in 1932
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  U.S. Congressman (1933–1935) Francis Shoemaker – Elected as a member of the Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party in 1932
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  U.S. Congressman (1929–1939) Paul John Kvale – Elected as a member of the Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party in 1928
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  U.S. Congressman (1923–1927) Knud Wefald – Elected as a member of the Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party in 1922
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  U.S. Congressman (1923–1929) Ole J. Kvale – Elected as a member of the Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party in 1922
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  U.S. Congressman (1919–1929) William Leighton Carss – Elected as a member of the Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party in 1918
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  U.S. Congressman (1911–1923) Ira C. Copley – Switched from a Republican to a Progressive in 1915
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  U.S. Congressman (1915–1921) John A. Elston – Elected as a Progressive in 1915
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  U.S. Congressman (1915–1923) Meyer London – Elected as a Socialist
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  U.S. Congressman (1915–1929) Whitmell P. Martin – Elected as a Progressive
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  U.S. Congressman (1915–1925) Thomas D. Schall – Elected as a Progressive,
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  U.S. Congressman (1915–1921) Charles Hiram Randall – Elected as a Prohibitionist
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  U.S. Congressman (1913–1919) Walter M. Chandler – Elected as a Progressive in 1913
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  U.S. Congressman (1913–1915) James W. Bryan – Elected a Progressive in 1913
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  U.S. Congressman (1913–1915) Jacob Falconer – Elected a Progressive in 1913
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  U.S. Congressman (1913–1915) William H. Hinebaugh – Elected as a Progressive in 1913
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  U.S. Congressman (1913–1915) Willis James Hulings – Elected as a Progressive in 1913
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  U.S. Congressman (1913–1915) William Josiah MacDonald – Elected as a Progressive in 1913
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  U.S. Congressman (1913–1915, 1919–1933) Milton William Shreve – Re-elected as an independent Republican in 1920
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  U.S. Congressman (1913–1915) Henry Wilson Temple – Elected a Progressive in 1913
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  U.S. Congressman (1913–1915) Charles M. Thomson – Elected a Progressive in 1913
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  U.S. Congressman (1911–1917) William Stephens – Switched parties from a Republican to a Progressive in 1913
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  U.S. Congressman (1913–1915) Roy O. Woodruff – Elected a Progressive in 1913
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  U.S. Congressman (1913–1917) Bill Kent – Elected as an independent
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  U.S. Congressman (1911–1929) Victor L. Berger – Elected as a Socialist
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  U.S. Congressman (1907–1909) Peter A. Porter – Elected as an independent Republican
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  U.S. Congressman (1901–1903) Caldwell Edwards – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1901–1903) Thomas L. Glenn – Elected as a Silver
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  U.S. Congressman (1899–1901) John Wilbur Atwater – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1899–1903) William Neville – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1899–1901) Edgar Wilson – Elected as a Silver Republican
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  U.S. Congressman (1897–1899) Charles A. Barlow – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1897–1899) Jeremiah D. Botkin – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1897–1899) Curtis H. Castle – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1897–1899) John Edgar Fowler – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1897–1899) William Laury Greene – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1897–1899) James Gunn – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1897–1899) William Carey Jones – Elected as a Silver Republican
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  U.S. Congressman (1897–1899) John Edward Kelley – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1897–1899) Freeman Knowles – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1897–1899) Charles Martin – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1897–1899) Samuel Maxwell – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1897–1899) Nelson B. McCormick – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1897–1899) Mason S. Peters – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1897–1901) Edwin R. Ridgely – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1897–1903) William Ledyard Stark – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1897–1901) Roderick Dhu Sutherland – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1897–1899) William D. Vincent – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1896–1897) Albert Taylor Goodwyn – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1895–1904) John F. Shafroth – Switched from Republican to Silver Republican in 1897
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  U.S. Congressman (1895–1899) Milford W. Howard – Elected as a Populist in 1894
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  U.S. Congressman (1895–1899) Harry Skinner – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1895–1899) William Franklin Strowd – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1893–1903) John Calhoun Bell – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1893–1895) Marion Cannon – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1893–1895) Lafe Pence – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1893–1899) Alonzo C. Shuford – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1893–1895) Thomas Jefferson Hudson – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1893–1895) Haldor Boen – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1893–1895) Bill Harris – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1891–1897) Bill Baker – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1891–1893) Benjamin H. Clover – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1891–1895) John Davis – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1891–1893) Kittel Halvorson – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1891–1897) Omer Madison Kem – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1891–1895) William A. McKeighan – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1891–1893) John G. Otis – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1891–1895) Jerry Simpson – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1891–1893) Thomas E. Watson – Elected as a Populist
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  U.S. Congressman (1889–1891) Lewis P. Featherstone – Elected as a member of the Labor Party
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  U.S. Congressman (1887–1889) Samuel I. Hopkins – Elected as a member of the Labor Party
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  U.S. Congressman (1887–1889) John Nichols – Elected as an independent
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  U.S. Congressman (1887–1889) Henry Smith – Elected as a member of the Labor Party
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  U.S. Congressman (1884–1885) Benjamin F. Shively – Elected as an Anti-Monopolist
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  U.S. Congressman (1883–1885) James Ronald Chalmers – Elected as an Independent
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  U.S. Congressman (1883–1885) Ted Lyman – Elected as an Independent
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  U.S. Congressman (1883–1885) Thomas P. Ochiltree – Elected as an Independent
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  U.S. Congressman (1881–1909) Charles N. Brumm – Elected as a member of the United States Greenback Party in 1880
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  U.S. Congressman (1881–1883) Joseph Henry Burrows – Elected as a member of the United States Greenback Party in 1880
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  U.S. Congressman (1881–1883) Ira Sherwin Hazeltine – Elected as a member of the United States Greenback Party in 1880
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  U.S. Congressman (1881–1883) James Mosgrove – Elected as a member of the United States Greenback Party in 1880
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  U.S. Congressman (1881–1883) Theron Moses Rice – Elected as a member of the United States Greenback Party in 1880
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  U.S. Congressman (1881–1883) J. Hyatt Smith – Elected as an independent
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  U.S. Congressman (1879–1881) Bradley Barlow – Elected as a member of the United States Greenback Party in 1878
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  U.S. Congressman (1879–1883) Nicholas Ford – Elected as a member of the United States Greenback Party in 1878
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  U.S. Congressman (1879–1881) Albert P. Forsythe – Elected as a member of the United States Greenback Party in 1878
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  U.S. Congressman (1879–1881) Edward H. Gillette – Elected as a member of the United States Greenback Party in 1878
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  U.S. Congressman (1879–1883) George Jones – Elected as a member of United States Greenback Party
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  U.S. Congressman (1879–1883) George W. Ladd – Elected as a member of United States Greenback Party
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  U.S. Congressman (1879–1882) William M. Lowe – Elected as a member of the United States Greenback Party in 1878
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  U.S. Congressman (1879–1881) Gilbert De La Matyr – Elected as a member of the United States Greenback Party in 1878
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  U.S. Congressman (1879–1883) Thompson H. Murch – Elected as a member of the United States Greenback Party
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  U.S. Congressman (1879–1881) Henry Persons – Elected as an independent
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  U.S. Congressman (1879–1881) Daniel Lindsay Russell – Elected as a member of United States Greenback Party
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  U.S. Congressman (1879–1883) Emory Speer – Elected as an independent
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  U.S. Congressman (1879–1889) James Weaver – Elected as a member of the United States Greenback Party in 1878
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  U.S. Congressman (1879–1881) Hendrick Bradley Wright – Elected as a member of the United States Greenback Party in 1878
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  U.S. Congressman (1879–1881) Seth Hartman Yocum – Elected as a member of the United States Greenback Party in 1878