Dawes ran for U.S. House in 1856, facing Democrat Josiah D. Weston and [[Know Nothing]] incumbent Mark Trafton in the general election. He emerged victorious garnering a plurality of 44% of the vote, while his opponents each polled around 28%.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=727758 MA District 11 Race - Nov 04, 1856]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved December 5, 2021.</ref> He continued to be re-elected eight times, solidifying double-digit victory margins except for the 1870 midterms.<ref name=ourcampaignsprofile>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=173237 Candidate - Henry Laurens Dawes]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved December 5, 2021.</ref> | Dawes ran for U.S. House in 1856, facing Democrat Josiah D. Weston and [[Know Nothing]] incumbent Mark Trafton in the general election. He emerged victorious garnering a plurality of 44% of the vote, while his opponents each polled around 28%.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=727758 MA District 11 Race - Nov 04, 1856]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved December 5, 2021.</ref> He continued to be re-elected eight times, solidifying double-digit victory margins except for the 1870 midterms.<ref name=ourcampaignsprofile>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=173237 Candidate - Henry Laurens Dawes]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved December 5, 2021.</ref> |