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The Source For News On Capitol Hill Since 1955
The CQ Roll Call members database reveals that 18 members of the 113th Congress mounted multiple unsuccessful campaigns before finally winning a seat.
| TWO-TIME LOSERS: |
| Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pa., elected in 2010, lost general elections in 2002 and 2008 |
| Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., elected in 2012, lost general elections in 1996 and 1998 |
| Rep. Danny K. Davis, D-Ill., elected in 1996, lost primaries in 1984 and 1986 |
| Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-N.J., elected in 1994, lost primaries in 1982 and 1990 |
| Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla., elected in 2012, lost general elections in 2008 and 2010 |
| Rep. Scott Garrett, R-N.J., elected in 2002, lost primaries in 1998 and 2000 |
| Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., elected in 2002, lost general elections in 1998 and 2000 |
| Rep. Luke Messer, R-Ind, elected in 2012, lost primaries in 2000 and 2010 |
| Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, elected in 1996, lost special election primary in 1991, general election in 1994 |
| Rep. Steve Stockman, R-Texas, elected in 1994, lost primary in 1990, general election in 1992. |
| Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., elected in 2012, lost general elections in 1992 and 1994 |
| Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M, elected to the House in 1998, lost primary in 1982, general election in 1988 |
| THREE-TIME LOSERS: |
| Rep. Paul Broun, R-Ga., elected in 2006, lost general election in 1990, primary in 1992, Senate primary in 1996 |
| Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, D-Hawaii, elected in 2010, lost primary in 2006, special elections in 2003 and 2010 |
| Sen. Bernard Sanders, I-Vt., elected to the House in 1990, lost general elections for the Senate in 1972 and 1974 and for the House in 1988. |
| Rep. Juan C. Vargas, D-Calif., elected in 2012, lost primaries in 1992, 1996 and 2006. |
| FOUR-TIME LOSER: |
| Rep. Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn., elected in 1990, lost primaries in 1982 and 1988, general elections in 1984 and 1986. |