The Census of 1860 led to an increase in Iowa's congressional district seats from two to six. In the 1862 midterms, Allison ran for the [[U.S. House of Representatives]] from the third district which included Dubuque, challenging incumbent Republican congressman William Vandever.<ref name=bio/> Benefiting from connections to Kirkwood in addition to railroad interests, he denied Vandever renomination and won the general election.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=474731 IA - District 03 Race - Oct 14, 1862]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved November 21, 2021.</ref> | The Census of 1860 led to an increase in Iowa's congressional district seats from two to six. In the 1862 midterms, Allison ran for the [[U.S. House of Representatives]] from the third district which included Dubuque, challenging incumbent Republican congressman William Vandever.<ref name=bio/> Benefiting from connections to Kirkwood in addition to railroad interests, he denied Vandever renomination and won the general election.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=474731 IA - District 03 Race - Oct 14, 1862]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved November 21, 2021.</ref> |