4 longest House speaker elections in US history

By Michael Gryboski, Editor Thursday, January 05, 2023

Nathaniel Banks – 133 ballots

An 1852 photograph of Nathaniel Prentice Banks (1816-1894), a former member of Congress who became speaker of the House of Representatives in 1856 after a record 133 ballots. | Public Domain

Nathaniel Prentice Banks of Massachusetts holds the distinction of requiring the most ballots to become Speaker of the House, with the 34th Congress (1855-1857) taking 133 votes before he got the position.

Banks, who was only speaker for two years, was one of 21 members of the House who were vying for the post, with voting beginning in December 1855 and going on until the following February.

According to the House’s website, key factors for the long process included the growing conflict over legalized slavery, as well as rising anti-immigrant sentiments.

Banks eventually secured the House speaker position when he defeated Rep. William Aiken of South Carolina in a vote of 103 to 100.

After leaving Congress, Banks would serve as governor of Massachusetts.

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