2012 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

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.

See also: 2012 South Carolina elections

2012 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

← 2010 November 6, 2012 (2012-11-06) 2014 →
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 1 Popular vote 1,026,129 742,805 Percentage 56.92% 41.20% Swing 0.71% 0.65%
Winners Vote share Republican   50–60%   60–70%   >90% Democratic   >90% Winners   Republican Hold   Republican Gain   Democratic Hold

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

• Tim Scott, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Bobbie Rose, former teacher and realtor^[9]

General election

Endorsements

Tim Scott (R)

Organizations

• Campaign for Working Families^[10]
• Huck PAC
• NRA Political Victory Fund^[11]
• National Right to Life Committee^[12]
• United States Chamber of Commerce^[13]

Bobbie Rose (D)

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO^[14]
• International Association of Fire Fighters
• United Steelworkers

Organizations

• Alliance for Retired Americans
• Working Families Party

Individuals

• Claudia J. Kennedy, retired Army Lieutenant general

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

• Joe Wilson, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Phil Black, businessman and candidate for this seat in 2008 & 2010

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

• Campaign for Working Families^[10]
• Huck PAC
• NRA Political Victory Fund^[11]
• National Right to Life Committee^[12]
• United States Chamber of Commerce^[13]

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

• Jeff Duncan, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Brian Doyle, radio talk show host^[19]

Eliminated in primary

• Cason Gaither, former field Organizer for Vincent Sheheen's gubernatorial campaign in 2010

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

• Campaign for Working Families^[10]
• Huck PAC
• NRA Political Victory Fund^[11]
• National Right to Life Committee^[12]
• United States Chamber of Commerce^[13]

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

• Trey Gowdy, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Deb Morrow, retired computer system designer^[22]

Eliminated in primary

• Jimmy Tobias, businessman^[23]

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

• Campaign for Working Families^[10]
• NRA Political Victory Fund^[11]
• National Right to Life Committee^[12]
• United States Chamber of Commerce^[13]

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

• Mick Mulvaney, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Joyce Knott, businesswoman^[24]

General election

Endorsements

Mick Mulvaney (R)

Organizations

• Campaign for Working Families^[10]
• Huck PAC
• NRA Political Victory Fund^[11]
• National Right to Life Committee^[12]
• United States Chamber of Commerce^[13]

Joyce Knott (D)

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO^[25]

Organizations

• Working Families Party^[26]

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

• Jim Clyburn, incumbent U.S. Representative

General election

Endorsements

Jim Clyburn (D)

Labor unions

• National Association of Letter Carriers^[27]
• National Education Association
• United Steelworkers

Organizations

• Planned Parenthood Action Fund^[28]
• Sierra Club

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

• Gloria Bromell Tinubu, professor at Coastal Carolina University and former member of the Georgia state representative^[8][30]

Eliminated in primary

• Preston Brittain, attorney^[30]
• Parnell Diggs, attorney and president of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina^[31]
• Harry Pavilack, attorney^[8]

Withdrawn

• Ted Vick, South Carolina House of Representatives' minority whip^[29]

Declined

• Stephen Wukela, mayor of Florence^[29]

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

• Stephen Wukela, Mayor of Florence^[38]

Gloria Bromell Tinubu

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO^[39]

Ted Vick (withdrawn)

U.S. Representatives

• John Spratt, Representative for South Carolina's 5th congressional district (1983–2011)^[40]

State legislators

• Vincent Sheheen, state senator and nominee for Governor in 2010

Organizations

• Blue Dog Coalition^[41][42]

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[43]	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

• Tom Rice, chairman of the Horry County Council^[44]

Eliminated in primary

• André Bauer, former lieutenant governor and candidate for Governor in 2010^[45]
• Renée Culler, realtor^[46]
• Katherine Jenerette, Army veteran and candidate for South Carolina's 1st congressional district in 2010^[8]
• Jay Jordan, attorney^[8]
• Jim Mader, businessman^[8][30]
• Chad Prosser, former director of South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism^[47]
• Randal Wallace, Myrtle Beach city council-member^[48]
• Dick Withington, businessman and Democratic candidate for South Carolina's 1st congressional district in 2010^[8][29]

Withdrew

• Thad Viers, state representative^[49][50]
• Debbie Harwell, public relations firm owner^[51][52]
• Mande Wilkes, attorney and local television host^[53]

Declined

• Alan Clemmons, state representative^[54]

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

• AFL-CIO^[55]
• United Steel Workers

Organizations

• National Organization for Women^[56]
• Working Families Party

Tom Rice (R)

Organizations

• NRA Political Victory Fund^[11]
• National Right to Life Committee^[12]
• United States Chamber of Commerce^[13]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Gloria Tinubu (D)	Tom Rice (R)	Other	Undecided
Winthrop University[57]	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. 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. 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. "2012 Candidate Endorsements". cwfpac.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2013. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
11. "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. "South Carolina Endorsements" (PDF). National Right to Life. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 23, 2013. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
13. "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. "Election Statistics - US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives". Karen Haas, Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
16. 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. "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. "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. 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. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. 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. Francis Marion University
44. "Horry County council chair announces candidacy for 7th District". WPDE-TV. November 16, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
45. "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.
46. 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.
47. 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.
48. McGinnis, Tim (November 22, 2011). "Myrtle Beach city councilman running for 7th congressional district seat". WPDE-TV. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
49. 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.
50. "Rep. Thad Viers arrested, withdrawing from 7th District race". WMBF-TV. January 6, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
51. "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.
52. "Harwell withdraws from race for new 7th congressional district". WPDE-TV. January 10, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
53. Spechko, Victoria (March 27, 2012). "Wilkes withdraws, endorses Bauer for 7th Congressional race". WPDE-TV. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
54. 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.
55. "Endorsements". Archived from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
56. "2012 NOW PACs Endorsements: All Federal Races". Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
57. Winthrop University

External links

• South Carolina State Election Commission Archived October 20, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
• United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina, 2012 at Ballotpedia
• South Carolina U.S. House at OurCampaigns.com
• Campaign contributions for U.S. Congressional races in South Carolina from OpenSecrets
• Outside spending at the Sunlight Foundation