1992 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

Redistricting

Following the 1990 United States census and subsequent redistricting cycle, South Carolina's congressional districts were redrawn by a federal court after the state legislature failed to produce their own map. The court's plan, which was issued on May 1, 1992, shifted the boundaries of each of the state's six congressional districts substantially; in the 1980s, South Carolina's districts were largely made up of whole counties, with only one (Berkeley County) being split between two districts. In contrast, the court-drawn lines split a total of 13 counties, 11 of which were divided and dispersed to create the new 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 6th districts. This splitting of counties was done largely to shift the 6th district, then-consisting of a predominantly white electorate, into a majority-minority seat that would allow the state's large black population to elect an African American to Congress.

Overview

District 1

Ravenel:
Oberst: The 1st district stretches from the coastal regions of the Pee Dee into the upper parts of the Lowcountry, including all of Georgetown and Horry counties, and taking in a sizable portion of Berkeley County; due to redistricting, the 1st lost a significant amount of its share of Charleston and Dorchester counties, in addition to all of Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties. The incumbent was Republican Arthur Ravenel Jr., who was re-elected with 65.5% of the vote in 1990.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Arthur Ravenel Jr., incumbent U.S. representative

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Bill Oberst Jr., former Georgetown Chamber of Commerce executive director

General election

Endorsements

Federal officials

• Paul Tsongas, former U.S. senator from Massachusetts (1979–1985)

Organizations

• Charleston Trident Association of Realtors

Fundraising

Results

District 2

Spence:
The 2nd district extends from the Midlands down to the Lowcountry, taking in all of Allendale, Barnwell, Hampton, Jasper, and Lexington counties, as well as parts of Aiken, Beaufort, Calhoun, Colleton, Orangeburg, and Richland counties; redistricting shifted the 2nd from a Midlands-centric seat into one which stretches along South Carolina's border with Georgia and includes a relatively large portion of the state's coastline. The incumbent was Republican Floyd Spence, who was re-elected with 88.9% of the vote in 1990.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Floyd Spence, incumbent U.S. representative

General election

Endorsements

Individuals

• Jack Gargan, founder of Throw the Hypocritical Rascals Out

Organizations

• The Coalition to End the Permanent Congress

Fundraising

Results

District 3

Derrick:
The 3rd district is based in both the Upstate and Midlands, encompassing all of Abbeville, Anderson, Edgefield, Greenwood, McCormick, Oconee, Pickens, and Saluda counties, and parts of Aiken and Laurens counties; following redistricting, the 3rd became much more Upstate-oriented as it lost Allendale and Barnwell counties, as well as some of Aiken County, while gaining most of Laurens County. The incumbent was Democrat Butler Derrick, who was re-elected with 62.1% of the vote of in 1990.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Butler Derrick, incumbent U.S. representative

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jim Bland, Aiken County councilman

General election

Fundraising

Results

District 4

Inglis: Patterson:
The 4th District is located solely in the Upstate and includes all of Greenville, Spartanburg, and Union counties; additionally, the 4th gained parts of Laurens County in redistricting. The incumbent was Democrat Liz J. Patterson, who was re-elected with 61.4% of the vote in 1990.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Liz J. Patterson, incumbent U.S. representative

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Bob Inglis, lawyer

Eliminated in primary

• Jerry L. Fowler, architect
• Bill McCuen, general contractor

Primary results

General election

Fundraising

Results

District 5

Spratt:
The 5th district comprises portions of the Upstate, Midlands, and Pee Dee, including all of Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Dillon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Marlboro, Newberry, and York counties, along with parts of Darlington, Lee, and Sumter counties; the 5th was shifted away from the Upstate and towards the Pee Dee during redistricting and resulting lost Laurens County. The incumbent was Democrat John Spratt, who was re-elected unopposed in 1990.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• John Spratt, incumbent U.S. representative

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Bill Horne, businessman and former aide to Governor Richard Riley

Eliminated in primary

• Earnest Archer, Winthrop University professor

Primary results

General election

Fundraising

Results

District 6

Clyburn:
Chase: The 6th district is centrally located and largely made up of split counties from the Pee Dee, Midlands, and Lowcountry; incorporating parts of Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Colleton, Darlington, Dorchester, Lee, Orangeburg, Richland, and Sumter counties, it also includes all of Bamberg, Clarendon, Florence, Marion, and Williamsburg counties. During redistricting, there was bipartisan support from Republicans and black Democrats to transform the 6th into a majority-minority seat. The incumbent was Democrat Robin Tallon, who was re-elected unopposed in 1990.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jim Clyburn, former state human affairs commissioner

Eliminated in primary

• Herbert Fielding, state senator
• Frank Gilbert, state senator
• John Roy Harper II, civil rights activist
• Ken Mosely, South Carolina State University professor

Withdrawn

• Robin Tallon, incumbent U.S. representative

Primary results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• John Chase, Florence city councilman

Eliminated in primary

• Delores DaCosta, former congressional aide
• Toney Graham, member of the state Department of Health and Environmental Control board

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Federal officials

• Robin Tallon, U.S. representative for (1983–1993)

State officials

• T. Eston Marchant, South Carolina adjutant general (1979–1995)
• Thomas T. Medlock, attorney general of South Carolina (1983–1995)
• Earle Morris Jr., South Carolina comptroller general (1976–1999)
• Grady Patterson, South Carolina treasurer (1967–1995, 1999–2007)
• Nick Theodore, lieutenant governor of South Carolina (1987–1995)

State officials

• Frank Gilbert, state senator

Fundraising

Results

References

References

1. (February 2000). "Assessing South Carolina's 1990s congressional districting". [[Political Geography (journal).
2. (May 1995). "Congressional Redistricting in the Southeastern U.S. in the 1990s". Southeastern Geographer.
3. (1993-06-30). "South Carolina Election Commission Annual Report". South Carolina Election Commission.
4. (1992-10-25). "Derrick, Bland square off in 3rd District; 4th District race offers voters some distinct choices; Other congressional races in state". [[The Greenville News]].
5. (1992-10-06). "Tsongas backs Oberst in race for 1st District". [[The State (newspaper).
6. (1992-12-31). "1992 Election United States House - South Carolina - District 01".
7. (1992-10-06). "Group endorses Spence challenger". [[The Greenville News]].
8. (1992-12-31). "1992 Election United States House - South Carolina - District 02".
9. (1992-12-31). "1992 Election United States House - South Carolina - District 03".
10. (1992-03-26). "Republican candidates schedule debates". [[The Greenville News]].
11. (1992-12-31). "1992 Election United States House - South Carolina - District 04".
12. (1992-08-26). "Inglis, Horne capitalize on voter frustration". [[The State (newspaper).
13. (1992-12-31). "1992 Election United States House - South Carolina - District 05".
14. (1992-08-26). "Inglis wins easily, will face Patterson in November vote". [[The Greenville News]].
15. (1992-06-28). "The 1992 campaign: On the trail; white incumbent quits race in black-majority district".
16. (1992-10-21). "State leaders endorse Clyburn". The Index-Journal.
17. (1992-10-18). "Voters divided by race". [[The State (newspaper).
18. (1992-12-31). "1992 Election United States House - South Carolina - District 06".