ELECTION 2014

VISUAL ANALYSIS

How presidents have fared in the midterms

In the last 50 years, the president’s party has lost Congressional seats in the House in every midterm election with only two exceptions. Each line represents the net change in House seats during each presidential term since 1952 by each president.

By Dan Keating and Ian Robinson

House seats won or lost during the midterms since 1952

The president’s party often enjoys a Congressional boost riding on his coattails, but the pendulum swings the other way two years later.

George W. Bush

In the 2002 midterm election, Republicans gained nine seats.

Barack Obama

Democrats suffered what Obama called a “shellacking” in the 2010 midterms, dropping 63 seats.

George W. Bush

In the 2002 midterm election, Republicans gained nine seats.

Barack Obama

Democrats suffered what Obama called a “shellacking” in the 2010 midterms, dropping 63 seats.

SOURCE: Washington Post analysis of govtrack.us. Published November 5, 2014.