2012 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina
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
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.
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
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]
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]
Bobbie Rose, former teacher and realtor[ 9]
Bobbie Rose (D)
Labor unions
Organizations
Individuals
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]
Eliminated in primary [ edit ]
Phil Black, businessman and candidate for this seat in 2008 & 2010
No candidate filed to run on the Democratic side.[ 8]
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]
Brian Doyle, radio talk show host[ 19]
Eliminated in primary [ edit ]
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]
Deb Morrow, retired computer system designer[ 22]
Eliminated in primary [ edit ]
Jimmy Tobias, businessman[ 23]
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.
Joyce Knott, businesswoman[ 24]
Joyce Knott (D)
Labor unions
Organizations
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]
Jim Clyburn (D)
Labor unions
Organizations
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]
Eliminated in primary [ edit ]
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]
Ted Vick (withdrawn)
U.S. Representatives
State legislators
Organizations
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%
Eliminated in primary [ edit ]
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]
Gloria Tinubu (D)
Labor unions
Organizations
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%
^ "SC - Election Results" . www.enr-scvotes.org . South Carolina State Election Commission. Archived from the original on January 22, 2013. Retrieved April 11, 2018 .
^ 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.
^ Kittle, Robert (July 26, 2011). "SC Lawmakers Approve Compromise Redistricting Plan" . WSPA . Archived from the original on March 19, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2011 .
^ "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 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 ]
^ Bowers, Paul (March 29, 2012). "Democratic challenger sets her sights on Tim Scott's seat" . Charleston City Paper . Retrieved April 1, 2012 .
^ a b c d e "2012 Candidate Endorsements" . cwfpac.com . Archived from the original on June 26, 2013. Retrieved March 2, 2023 .
^ a b c d e f "Upcoming Election - South Carolina" . NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2023 .
^ 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 .
^ a b c d e f "Help With Voting" . Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2023 .
^ "Endorsements" . bobbieroseforcongress.com . Archived from the original on November 9, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2023 .
^ 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 .
^ 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
^ 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.
^ Brown, Kirk (March 12, 2012). "Rep. Jeff Duncan will seek second term in Congress" . The Anderson Independent-Mail . Retrieved April 1, 2012 .
^ "Two Democrats running for Congress speak at Tri-County Tech rally" . The Anderson Independent-Mail . March 14, 2012. Retrieved April 1, 2012 .
^ 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 .
^ a b "2012 Convention Parties Certified Candidates" . South Carolina State Election Commission. Archived from the original on September 30, 2016. Retrieved September 26, 2012 .
^ Doughman, Andrew (March 20, 2012). "Inman Democrat tired of 'do-nothing' attitude, files for Gowdy's seat" . Spartanburg Herald-Journal . Retrieved April 1, 2012 .
^ Doughman, Andrew (March 20, 2012). "Business owner wants to rein in 'radical' GOP, seeks 4th congressional seat" . Spartanburg Herald-Journal . Retrieved April 1, 2012 .
^ Self, Jamie (March 31, 2012). "Rock Hill Democrat prepares for tough congressional race" . The Rock Hill Herald . Retrieved April 1, 2012 . [permanent dead link ]
^ "Acceptance speech for the AFL-CIO endorsement" . joyceknottforcongress.org . October 5, 2012. Archived from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2023 .
^ "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 .
^ "NALC-Endorsed Congressional Candidates" (PDF) . NALC. pp. 3– 4. Retrieved February 12, 2023 .
^ "Planned Parenthood Action Voter guide - VA" . Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Archived from the original on November 27, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2023 .
^ 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 .
^ a b c Dickerson, Brad (December 28, 2011). "Two more enter crowded 7th Congressional race" . The Sun News . Retrieved December 28, 2011 .
^ 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 .
^ Turnage, Jeremy (May 21, 2012). "Vick statement: "Politics will have to wait" - wistv.com - Columbia, South Carolina |" . wistv.com. Retrieved May 25, 2012 .
^ Kinnard, Meg (May 15, 2013). "SC state Rep. Ted Vick arrested again for DUI" . The Sun News . Retrieved May 15, 2013 . [permanent dead link ]
^ "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 .
^ "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 .
^ "Lawmaker Ted Vick arrested for second DUI" . WMBF-TV . Archived from the original on July 18, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2013 .
^ "Vick drops congressional bid after DUI arrest" . wistv.com . May 24, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2023 .
^ "SC District 7 - D Primary" . ourcampaigns.com . Retrieved March 2, 2023 .
^ "AFL-CIO Endorsement for Gloria Bromell Tinubu" . gloria4congress.com . May 17, 2012. Archived from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2023 .
^ CF of Aus (May 9, 2012). "SC-07 - How Competitive Is It ?" . dailykos.com . Retrieved March 2, 2023 .
^ Joseph, Cameron (December 14, 2011). "Blue Dog PAC backs five challengers - The Hill's Ballot Box" . Thehill.com. Retrieved May 25, 2012 .
^ 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 .
^ Francis Marion University
^ "Horry County council chair announces candidacy for 7th District" . WPDE-TV . November 16, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2011 .
^ "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 .
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ McGinnis, Tim (November 22, 2011). "Myrtle Beach city councilman running for 7th congressional district seat" . WPDE-TV . Retrieved December 15, 2011 .
^ 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 .
^ "Rep. Thad Viers arrested, withdrawing from 7th District race" . WMBF-TV . January 6, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2012 .
^ "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 .
^ "Harwell withdraws from race for new 7th congressional district" . WPDE-TV . January 10, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2012 .
^ Spechko, Victoria (March 27, 2012). "Wilkes withdraws, endorses Bauer for 7th Congressional race" . WPDE-TV . Retrieved April 2, 2012 .
^ 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 .
^ "Endorsements" . Archived from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2023 .
^ "2012 NOW PACs Endorsements: All Federal Races" . Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2023 .
^ Winthrop University
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