John Somers

John Patrick Somers (1791–1862) was an Irish Liberal, Repeal Association and Whig politician.

Political career Somers was first elected MP as a Whig candidate for Sligo in the 1837 general election, and was re-elected several times, including in 1841 when he stood as a Repeal Association candidate. His term was brought to an end in March 1848, when the result of the 1847 general election in which he had been elected unopposed was overturned, as he did not possess the required property qualifications, and he was unseated.

At the resulting by-election in April, Somers again stood as a Repeal Association candidate, but was defeated by the Liberal Charles Towneley. But this election too was overturned, due to Towneley being guilty of treating, and at the next by-election in July, Somers was again re-elected as a Repeal Association candidate. Yet, standing as a Whig at the following general election in 1852 he was again defeated by Towneley, in an election which was again overturned due to bribery on both sides. At the ensuing by-election in July 1853, Somers stood as a Liberal candidate but was defeated by the opposing Liberal John Sadleir. The revisited results put his opponent, Wynne, one vote ahead, and Somers was again unseated in July 1857, almost four months after the general election. He was also a Justice of the Peace for County Sligo.