United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina, 1992

The 1992 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina were held on November 6, 1992, to elect the six U.S. representatives from the state of South Carolina, one from each of the state's six congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 1992 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections.

Primary elections were held on June 9. In the general election, four incumbents were re-elected; however, incumbent Democrat Liz J. Patterson of the was defeated in her bid for a fourth term by Republican challenger Bob Inglis. Additionally, control of the open seat was retained by Democratic newcomer Jim Clyburn following the retirement of five-term incumbent Robin Tallon after the district's racial composition was significantly altered in redistricting. As of 2023, this is the last time South Carolina's congressional delegation comprised an equal number of Republicans and Democrats, and the last time Democrats would receive over 40% of the vote in U.S. House elections in the state until 2006.

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

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.

General election

Fundraising

Results

District 2

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

Fundraising

Results

District 3

The 3rd district is based in both the Upstate and the 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

General election

Fundraising

Results

District 4

Incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Liz J. Patterson of the 4th congressional district, in office since 1987, was defeated for re-election by Republican challenger Bob Inglis.

Republican primary

General election results

, -
,
, colspan=5 , Republican gain from Democratic
, -

District 5

Incumbent Democratic Congressman John M. Spratt, Jr. of the 5th congressional district, in office since 1983, defeated Republican challenger Bill Horne.

Republican primary

General election results

, -
,
, colspan=5 , Democratic hold
, -

District 6

South Carolina's congressional districts were redrawn following the 1990 census. The Republicans joined forces with the black Democrats in the state legislature to form a black-majority district; this gave the substantial minority the chance to elect candidates they favored. It also made the other districts predominantly majority white by a greater margin, and these conservative voters had been favoring Republicans for some time.

The boundaries of the 6th congressional district were shifted from its previous northeast position in the state to the central part of the state and defined to include many black majority counties, as well as black precincts of Charleston and Columbia. Incumbent Democratic Congressman Robin Tallon opted to retire rather than run in a district that he considered unfavorable to a white candidate. Jim Clyburn won the Democratic primary and defeated Republican John Chase in the general election to succeed Tallon in office.

Democratic primary

Republican primary

General election results

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,
, colspan=5 , Democratic hold
, -

See also

*1992 United States Senate election in South Carolina
* South Carolina's congressional districts

References

{{1992 United States elections

1992
South Carolina
United States House of Representatives