| − | In 1867, Butler ran for U.S. House and easily defeated opponent James White in the general election by a landslide, polling 87% of the vote.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=627139 TN - District 01 Race - Aug 01, 1867]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved November 6, 2021.</ref> He was re-elected three times, though was defeated in the 1874 midterms.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=233328 Candidate - Roderick R. Butler]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved November 6, 2021.</ref> After rebounding in 1886, he did not run the following year. His final run for the seat was in 1890 as an Independent Republican against official party nominee Alfred A. Taylor, where he narrowly lost.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=625175 TN - District 01 Race - Nov 04, 1890]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved November 6, 2021.</ref> | + | In 1867, Butler ran for U.S. House and easily defeated opponent James White in the general election by a landslide, polling 87% of the vote.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=627139 TN - District 01 Race - Aug 01, 1867]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved November 6, 2021.</ref> He was re-elected three times, though was defeated in the 1874 midterms.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=233328 Candidate - Roderick R. Butler]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved November 6, 2021.</ref> After rebounding in 1886, he did not run the following year. His final run for the seat was in 1890 as an Independent Republican against official party nominee Alfred A. Taylor, where he narrowly lost.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=625175 TN - District 01 Race - Nov 04, 1890]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved November 6, 2021.</ref> The state legislature at one point gerrymandered the congressional district to weaken the GOP stronghold.<ref name=bio2/> |
| | During the 1867–69 congressional session (40th Congress), Butler's membership in the House was contested on the grounds that he was a member of the Tennessee legislature when the state was part of the Confederacy.<ref name=bio2/> However, Elections Committee chair Henry L. Dawes stated: | | During the 1867–69 congressional session (40th Congress), Butler's membership in the House was contested on the grounds that he was a member of the Tennessee legislature when the state was part of the Confederacy.<ref name=bio2/> However, Elections Committee chair Henry L. Dawes stated: |