2012 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina
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All 7 South Carolina seats to the United States House of Representatives
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Republican Democratic
Last election 5 1
Seats won 6 1
Seat change Increase 1 Steady
Popular vote 1,026,129 742,805
Percentage 56.92% 41.20%
Swing Increase 0.71% Increase 0.65%
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The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 and elected the seven U.S. representatives from the state of South Carolina, an increase of one seat as a result of reapportionment thanks to the continued strong growth found in South Carolina as reported in the 2010 United States census. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election. The people of South Carolina elected six Republicans and one Democrat to represent the state in the 113th United States Congress.

Overview

United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina, 2012[1][2]
Party Votes Percentage Seats +/–
Republican 1,026,129 56.92% 6 +1
Democratic 742,805 41.20% 1 —
Green 16,310 0.90% 0 —
Libertarian 6,334 0.35% 0 —
Others 11,156 0.62% 0 —
Totals 1,802,734 100.00% 7 +1

Redistricting

On July 26, 2011, the South Carolina House of Representatives and Senate passed a compromise redistricting bill which would place the new 7th district in the Pee Dee region.[3] The bill was signed into law by Governor Nikki Haley on August 1.[4]

Under the 1965 Voting Rights Act, South Carolina's congressional redistricting had to be pre-cleared by the U.S. Department of Justice or the United States District Court for the District of Columbia before it could be enacted.[5] The Department of Justice precleared the map in October 2011;[6] a subsequent lawsuit brought by six voters for discrimination under the new lines was dismissed by the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina in March 2012.[7]

District 1

See also: South Carolina's 1st congressional district

See also: South Carolina's 1st congressional district special election, 2013

In redistricting, the 1st district was moved south along the coast to include Hilton Head and parts of Charleston County, and is expected to remain favorable to Republicans.[5] Republican Tim Scott, who has represented the 1st district since January 2011, sought re-election.[8]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

General election

Endorsements

Tim Scott (R)
Organizations
Bobbie Rose (D)
Labor unions
Organizations
Individuals

Results

South Carolina's 1st congressional district, 2012[15][16][17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tim Scott (incumbent) 179,908 62.0
Democratic Bobbie G. Rose 103,557 35.7
Libertarian Keith Blandford 6,334 2.2
n/a Write-ins 214 0.1
Total votes 290,013 100.0
Republican hold

District 2

See also: South Carolina's 2nd congressional district

In redistricting, Hilton Head and its surrounding areas, and counties on the state's southern border were removed from the 2nd district, which now includes all of Aiken County.[5] Republican Joe Wilson, who has represented the 2nd district since 2001, sought re-election.[8]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
Eliminated in primary

Democratic primary

No candidate filed to run on the Democratic side.[8]

Primary results

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joe Wilson (incumbent) 23,062 80.6
Republican Phil Black 5,557 19.4
Total votes 28,619 100.0

General election

Endorsements

Joe Wilson (R)
Organizations

Results

South Carolina's 2nd congressional district, 2012[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joe Wilson (incumbent) 196,116 96.3
n/a Write-ins 7,602 3.7
Total votes 203,718 100.0
Republican hold

District 3

See also: South Carolina's 3rd congressional district

Redistricting added parts of Newberry and Greenville counties to the 3rd district; parts of Aiken County were removed. The district was expected to continue to favor Republicans.[5] Republican Jeff Duncan, who has represented the 3rd district since January 2011, sought re-election.[18]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
Eliminated in primary

Primary results

Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brian Doyle 4,782 66.0
Democratic Cason Gaither 2,464 34.0
Total votes 7,246 100.0

General election

Endorsements

Jeff Duncan (R)
Organizations

Results

South Carolina's 3rd congressional district, 2012[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jeff Duncan (incumbent) 169,512 66.5
Democratic Bryan Ryan B. Doyle 84,735 33.3
n/a Write-ins 516 0.2
Total votes 254,763 100.0
Republican hold

District 4

See also: South Carolina's 4th congressional district

The redrawn 4th district maintains a balance between Greenville and Spartanburg counties, and is expected to continue to favor Republicans.[5] Republican Trey Gowdy, who has represented the 4th district since January 2011, sought re-election.[20] Greenville artist Jeff Sumerel is the nominee of the South Carolina Green Party.[21]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
Eliminated in primary

Primary results

Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Deb Morrow 3,678 70.6
Democratic Jimmy Tobias 1,528 29.4
Total votes 5,206 100.0

General election

Endorsements

Trey Gowdy (R)
Organizations

Results

South Carolina's 4th congressional district, 2012[15][16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Trey Gowdy (incumbent) 173,201 64.9
Democratic Deb Morrow 89,964 33.7
Green Jeff Sumerel 3,390 1.3
n/a Write-ins 329 0.1
Total votes 266,884 100.0
Republican hold

District 5

See also: South Carolina's 5th congressional district

The 5th district, which extends from the North Carolina border to the outskirts of Sumter, was made more favorable to Republicans in redistricting.[5] Republican Mick Mulvaney, who has represented the 5th district since January 2011, sought re-election.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

General election

Endorsements

Mick Mulvaney (R)
Organizations
Joyce Knott (D)
Labor unions
Organizations

Results

South Carolina's 5th congressional district, 2012[15][16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mick Mulvaney (incumbent) 154,324 55.5
Democratic Joyce Knott 123,443 44.4
n/a Write-ins 236 0.1
Total votes 278,003 100.0
Republican hold

District 6

See also: South Carolina's 6th congressional district

The 6th district is expected to continue to strongly favor Democrats.[5] Democrat Jim Clyburn, the Assistant Democratic Leader of the U.S. House who has represented the 6th district since 1993, faced Green Party nominee Nammu Muhammad.[21]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

General election

Endorsements

Jim Clyburn (D)
Labor unions
Organizations

Results

South Carolina's 6th congressional district, 2012[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jim Clyburn (incumbent) 218,717 93.6
Green Nammu Y. Muhammad 12,920 5.5
n/a Write-ins 1,978 0.9
Total votes 233,615 100.0
Democratic hold

District 7

See also: South Carolina's 7th congressional district

The new 7th district will represent most of the Pee Dee region, including Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, and Marlboro counties, along with a part of Florence County, and is expected to favor Republicans.[29]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Withdrawn

Declined

Campaign

Ted Vick was considered to be the frontrunner until he was arrested in Columbia on the night of the May 14 on the Statehouse grounds and was charged with driving under the influence, speeding, and carrying a handgun without a permit. An officer had seen Vick stumbling as he walked into a parking garage, before getting into his car and hitting a cone before the officer could catch up. Vick smelled of alcohol but refused to take a breathalyzer test. Columbia Police Department officials indicated that Vick had been at a local bar prior to his arrest. A 21-year-old female USC student was in the car with Vick.[32][33][34][35][36]

Vick would drop out of the race 10 days after his arrest.[37]

Endorsements

Preston Brittain
Local officials
Gloria Bromell Tinubu
Labor unions
Ted Vick (withdrawn)
U.S. Representatives
State legislators
Organizations

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Preston
Brittain 		Parnell
Diggs 		Harry
Pavilack 		Gloria
Tinubu 		Ted
Vick 		Undecided
Francis Marion University May 14–15, 2012 611 ±3.8% 6% 3% 3% 9% 15% 65%

Primary results

Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gloria Tinubu 16,404 48.7
Democratic Preston Brittain 12,347 36.7
Democratic Ted Vick 2,375 7.0
Democratic Parnell Diggs 1,408 4.2
Democratic Harry Pavilack 1,132 3.4
Total votes 33,666 100.0

Runoff results

Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gloria Tinubu 17,930 72.7
Democratic Preston Brittain 6,733 27.3
Total votes 24,663 100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
Eliminated in primary

Withdrew

Declined

Primary results

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Andre Bauer 12,037 32.1
Republican Tom Rice 10,252 27.4
Republican Jay Jordan 8,107 21.6
Republican Chad Prosser 3,824 10.2
Republican Katherine Jenerette 1,457 3.9
Republican Randal Wallace 691 1.8
Republican Dick Withington 641 1.7
Republican Renee Culler 279 0.7
Republican Jim Mader 180 0.5
Total votes 37,468 100.0

Runoff results

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Rice 16,844 56.1
Republican Andre Bauer 13,173 43.9
Total votes 30,017 100.0

General election

Endorsements

Gloria Tinubu (D)
Labor unions
Organizations
Tom Rice (R)
Organizations

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Gloria
Tinubu (D) 		Tom
Rice (R) 		Other Undecided
Winthrop University September 23–30, 2012 878 ±3.5% 36% 49% 2% 13%

Results

South Carolina's 7th congressional district, 2012[15][16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Rice 153,068 55.5
Democratic Gloria Bromell Tinubu 122,389 44.4
n/a Write-ins 281 0.1
Total votes 275,738 100.0
Republican win (new seat)

References

  1. ^ "SC - Election Results". www.enr-scvotes.org. South Carolina State Election Commission. Archived from the original on January 22, 2013. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  2. ^ The Democratic Party votes includes 28,614 votes cast for the Working Families Party. Democratic candidates in the 1st, 4th, 5th and 7th Districts also ran under this party banner.
  3. ^ Kittle, Robert (July 26, 2011). "SC Lawmakers Approve Compromise Redistricting Plan". WSPA. Archived from the original on March 19, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  4. ^ "Governor signs bill that creates new congressional district". CarolinaLive.com. WPDE. August 1, 2011. Archived from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Miller, Joshua (August 2, 2011). "Race Ratings: GOP Strengthens Grip on South Carolina". Roll Call. Archived from the original on October 20, 2011. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  6. ^ Miller, Joshua (October 31, 2011). "DOJ Approves New South Carolina Map". Roll Call. Archived from the original on November 1, 2011. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  7. ^ Kinnard, Meg (March 20, 2012). "6 black voters appeal S.C. redistricting plan". Aiken Standard. Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i Adcox, Seanna (March 30, 2012). "14 to run in SC's new congressional district". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Associated Press. Retrieved April 1, 2012.[dead link]
  9. ^ Bowers, Paul (March 29, 2012). "Democratic challenger sets her sights on Tim Scott's seat". Charleston City Paper. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  10. ^ a b c d e "2012 Candidate Endorsements". cwfpac.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2013. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "Upcoming Election - South Carolina". NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2023.((cite web)): CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  12. ^ a b c d e f "South Carolina Endorsements" (PDF). National Right to Life. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 23, 2013. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d e f "Help With Voting". Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  14. ^ "Endorsements". bobbieroseforcongress.com. Archived from the original on November 9, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g "Election Statistics - US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives". Karen Haas, Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  16. ^ a b c d The votes for the Democratic candidate includes votes cast for the candidate who also ran under the Working Families Party ticket
  17. ^ Tim Scott resigned his seat in the 112th and 113th Congresses effective January 2, 2013, in order to be appointed to the United States Senate in place of Senator Jim DeMint, who resigned. As a result, the seat for the 1st congressional district was vacant from the onset of the 113th Congress.
  18. ^ Brown, Kirk (March 12, 2012). "Rep. Jeff Duncan will seek second term in Congress". The Anderson Independent-Mail. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  19. ^ "Two Democrats running for Congress speak at Tri-County Tech rally". The Anderson Independent-Mail. March 14, 2012. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  20. ^ Drury, Shawn (March 17, 2012). "Rep. Trey Gowdy Announces Re-election Bid, Publishes Op-Ed on Religious Freedom". Mauldin Patch. Archived from the original on July 10, 2012. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  21. ^ a b "2012 Convention Parties Certified Candidates". South Carolina State Election Commission. Archived from the original on September 30, 2016. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  22. ^ Doughman, Andrew (March 20, 2012). "Inman Democrat tired of 'do-nothing' attitude, files for Gowdy's seat". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  23. ^ Doughman, Andrew (March 20, 2012). "Business owner wants to rein in 'radical' GOP, seeks 4th congressional seat". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  24. ^ Self, Jamie (March 31, 2012). "Rock Hill Democrat prepares for tough congressional race". The Rock Hill Herald. Retrieved April 1, 2012.[permanent dead link]
  25. ^ "Acceptance speech for the AFL-CIO endorsement". joyceknottforcongress.org. October 5, 2012. Archived from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  26. ^ "Joyce Accepts Endorsement from the Working Families Party". joyceknottforcongress.org. September 5, 2012. Archived from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  27. ^ "NALC-Endorsed Congressional Candidates" (PDF). NALC. pp. 3–4. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  28. ^ "Planned Parenthood Action Voter guide - VA". Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Archived from the original on November 27, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  29. ^ a b c d "Two more announce candidacy for 7th congressional district seat". SCNOW. Media General. November 4, 2011. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  30. ^ a b c Dickerson, Brad (December 28, 2011). "Two more enter crowded 7th Congressional race". The Sun News. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
  31. ^ Vasselli, Gina (September 27, 2011). "Area lawyer, activist for the blind announces bid for Congress in Myrtle Beach". The Sun News. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  32. ^ Turnage, Jeremy (May 21, 2012). "Vick statement: "Politics will have to wait" - wistv.com - Columbia, South Carolina |". wistv.com. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
  33. ^ Kinnard, Meg (May 15, 2013). "SC state Rep. Ted Vick arrested again for DUI". The Sun News. Retrieved May 15, 2013.[permanent dead link]
  34. ^ "SC Rep. Ted Vick arrested for second DUI". Carolina Live WPDE. May 15, 2013. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
  35. ^ "SC lawmaker Ted Vick seen stumbling in statehouse parking lot, arrested for 2nd DUI". WBTW. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
  36. ^ "Lawmaker Ted Vick arrested for second DUI". WMBF-TV. Archived from the original on July 18, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
  37. ^ "Vick drops congressional bid after DUI arrest". wistv.com. May 24, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  38. ^ "SC District 7 - D Primary". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  39. ^ "AFL-CIO Endorsement for Gloria Bromell Tinubu". gloria4congress.com. May 17, 2012. Archived from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  40. ^ CF of Aus (May 9, 2012). "SC-07 - How Competitive Is It ?". dailykos.com. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  41. ^ Joseph, Cameron (December 14, 2011). "Blue Dog PAC backs five challengers - The Hill's Ballot Box". Thehill.com. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
  42. ^ Andrew Whalen (December 14, 2011). "Blue Dogs Announce First Slate of Endorsed Candidates for 2012". bluedogdems.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  43. ^ "Horry County council chair announces candidacy for 7th District". WPDE-TV. November 16, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
  44. ^ "Harwell to seek 7th congressional district seat". SCNOW. Media General. November 29, 2011. Archived from the original on March 7, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  45. ^ Fuller, Kelly M. (October 6, 2011). "Culler may run for U.S. House seat". Georgetown (South Carolina) Times. Archived from the original on December 3, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  46. ^ Fuller, Kelly M. (January 27, 2012). "Prosser announces run for S.C. District 7". Georgetown Times. Archived from the original on March 30, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
  47. ^ McGinnis, Tim (November 22, 2011). "Myrtle Beach city councilman running for 7th congressional district seat". WPDE-TV. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  48. ^ Ray, Rusty (August 4, 2011). "Viers seeks 7th district congress seat, promises less government". SCNOW. Media General. Archived from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
  49. ^ "Rep. Thad Viers arrested, withdrawing from 7th District race". WMBF-TV. January 6, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  50. ^ "Bauer announces candidacy for 7th congressional district seat". SCNOW. Media General. October 17, 2011. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  51. ^ "Harwell withdraws from race for new 7th congressional district". WPDE-TV. January 10, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  52. ^ Spechko, Victoria (March 27, 2012). "Wilkes withdraws, endorses Bauer for 7th Congressional race". WPDE-TV. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  53. ^ Naquin, Ryan (October 30, 2011). "Clemmons will not run for Congressional Seat". WPDE-TV. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2011.
  54. ^ "Endorsements". Archived from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  55. ^ "2012 NOW PACs Endorsements: All Federal Races". Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2023.

External links

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