Mississippi's 5th congressional district existed from 1855 to 2003. The state was granted a fifth representative by Congress following the 1850 census.
From 1853 to 1855, the fifth representative was elected at-large instead of by district, favoring majority voters. The district was abolished by the state legislature following the 2000 census, when the state lost a seat.
Boundaries Although the boundaries of the fifth congressional district were altered after every census, it covered the Gulf Coast region and most of the Pine Belt region in southeastern Mississippi from 1993 to 2003.
It included all of Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Lamar, Pearl River, Perry, and Stone counties as well as a portion of Wayne County.
After it was abolished, most of the fifth district was absorbed by the state's fourth congressional district.
2000 election The district's last election took place on November 7, 2000. Incumbent Gene Taylor, who had represented the district since a special election in 1989, easily won re-election.
List of members representing the district Member Party Years Congress Electoral history District created March 4, 1855 John A. Quitman Democratic March 4, 1855 –July 17, 1858 Elected in 1855.Re-elected in 1857.Died. Vacant July 17, 1858 –December 7, 1858 John Jones McRae Democratic December 7, 1858 –January 12, 1861 Elected to finish Quitman's term.Re-elected in 1859.Withdrew due to Civil War. Vacant January 12, 1861 –February 23, 1870 Civil War and Reconstruction Legrand Winfield Perce Republican February 23, 1870 –March 3, 1873 Elected in 1869 to finish the term and to the next term.Retired. George Colin McKee Republican March 4, 1873 –March 3, 1875 Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1872.Retired. Charles E. Hooker Democratic March 4, 1875 –March 3, 1883 Elected in 1874.Re-elected in 1876.Re-elected in 1878.Re-elected in 1880.Retired. Otho Robards Singleton Democratic March 4, 1883 –March 3, 1887 Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1882.Re-elected in 1884.Retired. Chapman L. Anderson Democratic March 4, 1887 –March 3, 1891 Elected in 1886.Re-elected in 1888.Lost renomination. Joseph Henry Beeman Democratic March 4, 1891 –March 3, 1893 Elected in 1890.Retired. John Sharp Williams Democratic March 4, 1893 –March 3, 1903 Elected in 1892.Re-elected in 1894.Re-elected in 1896.Re-elected in 1898.Re-elected in 1900.Redistricted to the . Adam M. Byrd Democratic March 4, 1903 –March 3, 1911 Elected in 1902.Re-elected in 1904.Re-elected in 1906.Re-elected in 1908.Lost renomination. Samuel Andrew Witherspoon Democratic March 4, 1911 –November 24, 1915 Elected in 1910.Re-elected in 1912.Re-elected in 1914.Died. Vacant November 24, 1915 –January 4, 1916 William Webb Venable Democratic January 4, 1916 –March 3, 1921 Elected to finish Witherspoon's term.Re-elected in 1916.Re-elected in 1918.Lost renomination. Ross A. Collins Democratic March 4, 1921 –January 3, 1935 Elected in 1920.Re-elected in 1922.Re-elected in 1924.Re-elected in 1926.Re-elected in 1928.Re-elected in 1930.Re-elected in 1932.Retired to run for U.S. senator. Aubert C. Dunn Democratic January 3, 1935 –January 3, 1937 Elected in 1934.Retired. Ross A. Collins Democratic January 3, 1937 –January 3, 1943 Elected in 1936.Re-elected in 1938.Re-elected in 1940.Retired to run for U.S. senator. W. Arthur Winstead Democratic January 3, 1943 –January 3, 1963 Elected in 1942.Re-elected in 1944.Re-elected in 1946.Re-elected in 1948.Re-elected in 1950.Re-elected in 1952.Re-elected in 1954.Re-elected in 1956.Re-elected in 1958.Re-elected in 1960.Redistricted to the . William M. Colmer Democratic January 3, 1963 –January 3, 1973 Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1962.Re-elected in 1964.Re-elected in 1966.Re-elected in 1968.Re-elected in 1970.Retired. Trent Lott Republican January 3, 1973 –January 3, 1989 Elected in 1972.Re-elected in 1974.Re-elected in 1976.Re-elected in 1978.Re-elected in 1980.Re-elected in 1982.Re-elected in 1984.Re-elected in 1986.Retired to run for U.S. senator. Larkin I. Smith Republican January 3, 1989 –August 13, 1989 Elected in 1988.Died in plane crash. Vacant August 13, 1989 –October 17, 1989 Gene Taylor Democratic October 17, 1989 –January 3, 2003 Elected to finish Smith's term.Re-elected in 1990.Re-elected in 1992.Re-elected in 1994.Re-elected in 1996.Re-elected in 1998.Re-elected in 2000.Redistricted to the . District eliminated January 3, 2003
References
Congressional Biographical Directory of the United States 1774–present