John Willis Menard*

John Willis Menard was the first Black man ever elected to the U.S. House of Representatives though he was never seated in Congress. In November 1868, Menard won a special election to fill the vacant seat representing the 2nd Congressional District of Louisiana. Although Menard won the election, his opponent challenged his right to be seated. Menard became the first African American to address the chamber in 1968 when he was allowed to argue his case before the House. Unfortunately, the House Committee on Elections failed to make a final determination on the election challenge, and the seat remained unfilled for the remainder of the 40th Congress (1867-1869).