# 2005 United States House of Representatives elections

There were three special elections to the United States House of Representatives in 2005 during the 109th United States Congress.

## Summary

Elections are listed by date and district.
| District | Incumbent | Incumbent | Incumbent | This race | This race |
| District | Member | Party | First elected | Results | Candidates |
| California 5 | Bob Matsui | Democratic | 1978 | Incumbent died January 1, 2005. New member elected March 8, 2005. Democratic hold. | ▌Y Doris Matsui (Democratic) 70.00% ▌Julie Padilla (Democratic) 8.92% ▌John Thomas Flynn (Republican) 8.17% ▌Serge Chernay (Republican) 4.66% Others ▌P. Michael O'Brien (Republican) 2.18% ▌Shane Singh (Republican) 1.40% ▌Bruce Stevens (Republican) 1.22% ▌Pat Driscoll (Green) 1.14% ▌Leonard Padilla (Independent) 0.82% ▌Chuck Pineda (Democratic) 0.56% ▌Gale Morgan (Libertarian) 0.56% ▌John C. Reiger (Peace and Freedom) 0.36% |
| Ohio 2 | Rob Portman | Republican | 1992 | Incumbent resigned April 29, 2005 to become U.S. Trade Representative. New member elected August 2, 2005. Republican hold. | ▌Y Jean Schmidt (Republican) 51.63% ▌Paul Hackett (Democratic) 48.35% |
| California 48 | Christopher Cox | Republican | 2002 | Incumbent resigned August 2, 2005 to become Chairman of the SEC. New member elected December 7, 2005. Republican hold. | ▌Y John Campbell (Republican) 44.43% ▌Steve Young (Democratic) 27.76% ▌Jim Gilchrist (American Independent) 25.50% ▌Béa Tomaselli Tiritilli (Green) 1.38% ▌Bruce Cohen (Libertarian) 0.94% |

## California's 5th congressional district

This special election was held on March 8, 2005, following the death of incumbent representative Bob Matsui from pneumonia. His wife Doris Matsui was elected, getting 70% of the vote.
2005 California's 5th congressional district special election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Doris Matsui | 56,175 | 70.00 |
| | Democratic | Julie Padilla | 7,158 | 8.92 |
| | Republican | John Thomas Flynn | 6,559 | 8.17 |
| | Republican | Serge Chernay | 3,742 | 4.66 |
| | Republican | P. Michael O'Brien | 1,753 | 2.18 |
| | Republican | Shane Singh | 1,124 | 1.40 |
| | Republican | Bruce Stevens | 976 | 1.22 |
| | Green | Pat Driscoll | 916 | 1.14 |
| | Independent | Leonard Padilla | 659 | 0.82 |
| | Democratic | Chuck Pineda | 451 | 0.56 |
| | Libertarian | Gale Morgan | 451 | 0.56 |
| | Peace and Freedom | John C. Reiger | 286 | 0.36 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 49,017 | 61.08 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 83,033 | 100.00 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 12.56 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Ohio's 2nd congressional district

This special election took place on August 2, 2005, to fill the seat left by former Representative Rob Portman, who resigned to become the United States Trade Representative. The district is located in southwestern Ohio, encompassing parts of Cincinnati and its suburbs. Republican Jean Schmidt won the election, succeeding Portman and maintaining the Republican representation in the district.
2005 Ohio's 2nd congressional district special election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jean Schmidt | 59,671 | 51.63 |
| | Democratic | Paul Hackett | 55,886 | 48.35 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 19 | 0.02 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,785 | 3.27 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 115,576 | 100.00 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 18.32 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## California's 48th congressional district

This special election occurred on October 4, 2005, following the resignation of Representative Christopher Cox, who left his seat to become the Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The district covers parts of Orange County and had been consistently held by Republicans. John Campbell, a Republican, emerged victorious in the election, preserving the Republican control of the district.
2005 California's 48th congressional district special election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John Campbell | 46,184 | 44.43 |
| | Democratic | Steve Young | 28,853 | 27.76 |
| | American Independent | Jim Gilchrist | 26,507 | 25.50 |
| | Green | Béa Tomaselli Tiritilli | 1,430 | 1.38 |
| | Libertarian | Bruce Cohen | 974 | 0.94 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 17,331 | 16.67 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 103,948 | 100.00 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 16.27 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |