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1971 United States House of Representatives election in the District of Columbia

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1971 United States House of Representatives election in the District of Columbia

March 23, 1971 1972 →
 
Candidate Walter E. Fauntroy John A. Nevius Julius Hobson
Party Democratic Republican DC Statehood
Popular vote 68,166 29,249 15,427
Percentage 58.44% 25.08% 13.23%

Elected Delegate

Walter E. Fauntroy
Democratic

Map of the District of Columbia At-Large district.

On March 23, 1971, the District of Columbia held a special election for its non-voting House delegate representing the District of Columbia's at-large congressional district. This was the first election for the newly re-created district since Norton P. Chipman briefly held the seat during the Reconstruction Era. The winner of the race was Walter E. Fauntroy, a Democrat. After serving his remaining term in the 92nd United States Congress, he would continue to be re-elected until he stepped down to run for mayor in the 1990 election.

The non-voting delegate to the United States House of Representatives from the District of Columbia is elected for two-year terms, as are all other Representatives and Delegates minus the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, who is elected to a four-year term.

Candidates

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Walter E. Fauntroy, a Democrat, sought election for his first term to the United States House of Representatives. Fauntroy was opposed in this election by Republican challenger John A. Nevius, who received 25.08%, and D.C. Statehood Party candidate Julius Hobson who received 13.23%. This resulted in Fauntroy being elected with 58.44% of the vote. This is the lowest percentage that a Democratic candidate has received in any election to the District of Columbia's at-large congressional district.

Results

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D.C. At Large Congressional District Special Election (March 23, 1971)[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Walter E. Fauntroy 68,166 58.44
Republican John A. Nevius 29,249 25.08
DC Statehood Julius Hobson 15,427 13.23
Independent Frank Kameny 1,888 1.62
Independent Douglas Moore 1,301 1.12
Socialist Workers James E. Harris 431 0.37
No party Write-ins 173 0.15
Total votes 116,635 100.00
Turnout  
Democratic gain from Republican

References

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  1. ^ "Our Campaigns - DC Delegate Race - Mar 23, 1971".