Dennis Hastert Republican Nancy Pelosi Democratic The 2006 United States House of Representatives elections were held on November 7, 2006, to elect members to the United States House of Representatives.

Along with the historical "sixth-year itch" that has plagued many incumbent presidents in midterm elections, the public's perception of George W. Bush, the handling of the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan, and a series of political scandals involving mostly congressional Republicans took their toll on the party at the ballot box.

Among the new Democrats were the first Muslim in Congress (Keith Ellison) and the first two Buddhists (Mazie Hirono and Hank Johnson).

As a result of the Democratic victory, Nancy Pelosi became the first female and the first Californian House Speaker.

Several members of the House first elected in 2006 have gone onto National attention, including Gabby Giffords and Michele Bachmann; United States Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Dean Heller, Mazie Hirono, and Chris Murphy; Senator and Ambassador Joe Donnelly; former Speaker Kevin McCarthy; Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison; and Governor and Vice-Presidential candidate Tim Walz.

[9] There were two special elections in 2006 to the 109th United States Congress, listed here by date and district.

(The court decision did not allow the Republican Party from changing its candidate, however it did not prevent Tom DeLay from withdrawing altogether.

Incumbent lost re-election in run-off (districtwas declared unconstitutional bySupreme Court in August 2006and redrawn).Democratic gain.