2012 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

Overview

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. The bill was signed into law by Governor Nikki Haley on August 1.

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. The Department of Justice precleared the map in October 2011; 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.

District 1

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.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Tim Scott, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Bobbie Rose, former teacher and realtor

General election

Endorsements

Organizations

• Campaign for Working Families
• Huck PAC
• NRA Political Victory Fund
• National Right to Life Committee
• United States Chamber of Commerce

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO
• International Association of Fire Fighters
• United Steelworkers

Organizations

• Alliance for Retired Americans
• Working Families Party

Individuals

• Claudia J. Kennedy, retired Army Lieutenant general

Predictions

Results

District 2

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. Republican Joe Wilson, who has represented the 2nd district since 2001, sought re-election.

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.

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Organizations

• Campaign for Working Families
• Huck PAC
• NRA Political Victory Fund
• National Right to Life Committee
• United States Chamber of Commerce

Predictions

Results

District 3

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.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jeff Duncan, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Brian Doyle, radio talk show host

Eliminated in primary

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

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Organizations

• Campaign for Working Families
• Huck PAC
• NRA Political Victory Fund
• National Right to Life Committee
• United States Chamber of Commerce

Predictions

Results

District 4

The redrawn 4th district maintains a balance between Greenville and Spartanburg counties, and is expected to continue to favor Republicans. Greenville artist Jeff Sumerel is the nominee of the South Carolina Green Party.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Trey Gowdy, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Deb Morrow, retired computer system designer

Eliminated in primary

• Jimmy Tobias, businessman

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Organizations

• Campaign for Working Families
• NRA Political Victory Fund
• National Right to Life Committee
• United States Chamber of Commerce

Predictions

Results

District 5

The 5th district, which extends from the North Carolina border to the outskirts of Sumter, was made more favorable to Republicans in redistricting. 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

General election

Endorsements

Organizations

• Campaign for Working Families
• Huck PAC
• NRA Political Victory Fund
• National Right to Life Committee
• United States Chamber of Commerce

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO

Organizations

• Working Families Party

Predictions

Results

District 6

The 6th district is expected to continue to strongly favor Democrats. 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.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jim Clyburn, incumbent U.S. Representative

General election

Endorsements

Labor unions

• National Association of Letter Carriers
• National Education Association
• United Steelworkers

Organizations

• Planned Parenthood Action Fund
• Sierra Club

Predictions

Results

District 7

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.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Gloria Bromell Tinubu, professor at Coastal Carolina University and former member of the Georgia state representative

Eliminated in primary

• Preston Brittain, attorney
• Parnell Diggs, attorney and president of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina
• Harry Pavilack, attorney

Withdrawn

• Ted Vick, South Carolina House of Representatives' minority whip

Declined

• Stephen Wukela, mayor of Florence

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.

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

Endorsements

Local officials

• Stephen Wukela, Mayor of Florence

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO

U.S. Representatives

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

State legislators

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

Organizations

• Blue Dog Coalition

Polling

Primary results

Runoff results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Tom Rice, chairman of the Horry County Council

Eliminated in primary

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

Withdrew

• Thad Viers, state representative
• Debbie Harwell, public relations firm owner
• Mande Wilkes, attorney and local television host

Declined

• Alan Clemmons, state representative

Primary results

Runoff results

General election

Endorsements

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO
• United Steel Workers

Organizations

• National Organization for Women
• Working Families Party

Organizations

• NRA Political Victory Fund
• National Right to Life Committee
• United States Chamber of Commerce

Polling

Predictions

Results

References

References

1. "SC - Election Results". South Carolina State Election Commission.
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-TV.
4. (August 1, 2011). "Governor signs bill that creates new congressional district". [[WPDE-TV.
5. Miller, Joshua. (August 2, 2011). "Race Ratings: GOP Strengthens Grip on South Carolina". [[Roll Call]].
6. Miller, Joshua. (October 31, 2011). "DOJ Approves New South Carolina Map". [[Roll Call]].
7. Kinnard, Meg. (March 20, 2012). "6 black voters appeal S.C. redistricting plan". [[Associated Press]].
8. Adcox}}{{dead link, Seanna. (March 30, 2012). "14 to run in SC's new congressional district". [[Associated Press]].
9. Bowers, Paul. (March 29, 2012). "Democratic challenger sets her sights on Tim Scott's seat". [[Charleston City Paper]].
10. "2012 Candidate Endorsements".
11. "Upcoming Election - South Carolina". NRA-PVF.
12. "South Carolina Endorsements". National Right to Life.
13. "Help With Voting".
14. "Endorsements".
15. (November 5, 2012). "The Cook Political Report — Charts – 2012 House Competitive Races". Cookpolitical.com.
16. (November 2, 2012). "House Ratings". Rothenbergpoliticalreport.com.
17. [http://www.rollcall.com/politics/race-ratings-chart-2012-house-elections.html], {{As of. 2012. 11. 04
18. [http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/category/2012-house/ Crystal Ball], {{As of. 2012. 11. 05
19. [http://elections.nytimes.com/2012/ratings/house House Race Ratings], ''The New York Times'', {{As of. 2012. 11. 04
20. [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/house/2012_elections_house_map.html], {{As of. 2012. 11. 04
21. (November 3, 2012). "House Ratings". The Hill.
22. "Election Statistics - US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives". Karen Haas, Clerk of the United States House of Representatives.
23. The votes for the Democratic candidate includes votes cast for the candidate who also ran under the [[Working Families Party]] ticket
24. 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.
25. (March 14, 2012). "Two Democrats running for Congress speak at Tri-County Tech rally". [[The Anderson Independent-Mail]].
26. "2012 Convention Parties Certified Candidates". South Carolina State Election Commission.
27. Doughman, Andrew. (March 20, 2012). "Inman Democrat tired of 'do-nothing' attitude, files for Gowdy's seat". [[Spartanburg Herald-Journal]].
28. Doughman, Andrew. (March 20, 2012). "Business owner wants to rein in 'radical' GOP, seeks 4th congressional seat". [[Spartanburg Herald-Journal]].
29. Self }}{{Dead link, Jamie. (September 2019). "Rock Hill Democrat prepares for tough congressional race". [[The Herald (Rock Hill).
30. (5 October 2012). "Acceptance speech for the AFL-CIO endorsement".
31. (5 September 2012). "Joyce Accepts Endorsement from the Working Families Party".
32. "NALC-Endorsed Congressional Candidates". NALC.
33. "Planned Parenthood Action Voter guide - VA". Planned Parenthood Action Fund.
34. (November 4, 2011). "Two more announce candidacy for 7th congressional district seat". [[Media General]].
35. Vasselli, Gina. (September 27, 2011). "Area lawyer, activist for the blind announces bid for Congress in Myrtle Beach". [[The Sun News]].
36. Turnage, Jeremy. (2012-05-21). "Vick statement: "Politics will have to wait" - wistv.com - Columbia, South Carolina |". wistv.com.
37. Kinnard, Meg. (15 May 2013}}{{Dead link). "SC state Rep. Ted Vick arrested again for DUI". [[The Sun News]].
38. (15 May 2013). "SC Rep. Ted Vick arrested for second DUI". Carolina Live [[WPDE]].
39. "SC lawmaker Ted Vick seen stumbling in statehouse parking lot, arrested for 2nd DUI". [[WBTW]].
40. "Lawmaker Ted Vick arrested for second DUI". [[WMBF-TV]].
41. (24 May 2012). "Vick drops congressional bid after DUI arrest".
42. "SC District 7 - D Primary".
43. (17 May 2012). "AFL-CIO Endorsement for Gloria Bromell Tinubu".
44. (9 May 2012). "SC-07 - How Competitive Is It ?".
45. Joseph, Cameron. (2011-12-14). "Blue Dog PAC backs five challengers - The Hill's Ballot Box". Thehill.com.
46. (14 December 2011). "Blue Dogs Announce First Slate of Endorsed Candidates for 2012".
47. [http://www2.scnow.com/news/pee-dee/2012/may/17/democrats-still-undecided-candidates-7th-congressi-ar-3811203/ Francis Marion University]
48. (November 16, 2011). "Horry County council chair announces candidacy for 7th District". [[WPDE-TV]].
49. (November 29, 2011). "Harwell to seek 7th congressional district seat". [[Media General]].
50. Fuller, Kelly M.. (October 6, 2011). "Culler may run for U.S. House seat". Georgetown (South Carolina) Times.
51. Dickerson, Brad. (December 28, 2011). "Two more enter crowded 7th Congressional race". [[The Sun News]].
52. Fuller, Kelly M.. (January 27, 2012). "Prosser announces run for S.C. District 7". Georgetown Times.
53. McGinnis, Tim. (November 22, 2011). "Myrtle Beach city councilman running for 7th congressional district seat". [[WPDE-TV]].
54. Ray, Rusty. (August 4, 2011). "Viers seeks 7th district congress seat, promises less government". [[Media General]].
55. (January 6, 2012). "Rep. Thad Viers arrested, withdrawing from 7th District race". [[WMBF-TV]].
56. (October 17, 2011). "Bauer announces candidacy for 7th congressional district seat". [[Media General]].
57. (January 10, 2012). "Harwell withdraws from race for new 7th congressional district". [[WPDE-TV]].
58. Spechko, Victoria. (March 27, 2012). "Wilkes withdraws, endorses Bauer for 7th Congressional race". [[WPDE-TV]].
59. Naquin, Ryan. (October 30, 2011). "Clemmons will not run for Congressional Seat". [[WPDE-TV]].
60. "Endorsements".
61. "2012 NOW PACs Endorsements: All Federal Races".
62. [https://web.archive.org/web/20140104220937/http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/polls/winthrop-university-15529 Winthrop University]