2002 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

The 2002 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina were held on November 5, 2002 to select six Representatives for two-year terms from the state of South Carolina. The primary elections for the Democrats and the Republicans were held on June 11 and the runoff elections were held two weeks later on June 25. All five incumbents who ran were re-elected and the open seat in the 3rd congressional district was retained by the Republicans. The composition of the state delegation remained four Republicans and two Democrats.

2002 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

← 2000 November 5, 2002 (2002-11-05) 2004 →

All 6 South Carolina seats to the United States House of Representatives
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Republican Democratic
Last election 4 2
Seats won 4 2
Seat change Steady Steady
Popular vote 569,267 344,972
Percentage 57.83% 35.04%
Swing Increase 2.60% Decrease 4.55%

South Carolina's 6 congressional districts

Overview

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United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina, 2002[1]
Party Votes Percentage Seats +/–
Republican 569,267 57.83% 4
Democratic 344,972 35.04% 2
United Citizens 28,203 2.86% 0
Libertarian 25,110 2.55% 0
Others 16,863 1.71% 0
Totals 984,415 100.00% 6

District 1

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This conservative district, which stretches along coastal South Carolina from the North Carolina to Charleston County and includes Myrtle Beach and some of Charleston, was represented by Republican Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. since his initial election in 2000. Seeking a second term, Brown faced only United Citizens candidate James Dunn and Natural Law candidate Joe Innella, whom he dispatched easily.

South Carolina's 1st congressional district election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Henry E. Brown, Jr. (inc.) 127,562 89.56
United Citizens James E. Dunn 9,841 6.91
Natural Law Joe Innella 4,965 3.49
Write-ins 57 0.04
Total votes 142,425 100.00
Republican hold

District 2

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Initially elected in a 2001 special election, incumbent Republican Congressman Joe Wilson sought a full term. This conservative district, which spans from the southern coast of South Carolina to Columbia in central South Carolina, easily elected Wilson in 2001. This year, he faced only United Citizens candidate Mark Whittington and Libertarian nominee Jim Legg, whom he crushed in a landslide.

South Carolina's 2nd congressional district election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joe Wilson (inc.) 144,149 84.12
United Citizens Mark Whittington 17,189 10.03
Libertarian Jim Legg 9,650 5.63
Write-ins 371 0.22
Total votes 171,359 100.00
Republican hold

District 3

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When incumbent Republican Congressman Lindsey Graham declined to seek a fifth term, instead opting to run for Senate, an open seat was created. South Carolina State Representative J. Gresham Barrett entered the fray and emerged as the Republican nominee. George Brightharp, the 2000 Democratic nominee for this seat, ran again, but was crushed in the general election by Barrett.

South Carolina's 3rd congressional district election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican J. Gresham Barrett 119,644 67.14
Democratic George L. Brightharp 55,743 31.28
Libertarian Mike Boerste 2,785 1.56
Write-ins 23 0.01
Total votes 178,195 100.00
Republican hold

District 4

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In this staunchly conservative district based in Spartanburg and Greenville, incumbent Republican Congressman Jim DeMint since his initial election in 1998. Seeking a third term, DeMint faced Democratic candidate Peter Ashy and Natural Law candidate C. Faye Walters. DeMint ultimately defeated both candidates to secure another term in Congress.

South Carolina's 4th congressional district election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim DeMint (inc.) 122,422 69.00
Democratic Peter J. Ashy 52,635 29.67
Natural Law C. Faye Walters 2,176 1.23
Write-ins 184 0.10
Total votes 177,417 100.00
Republican hold

District 5

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2002 South Carolina's 5th congressional district election
 
← 2000
2004 →
       
Nominee John Spratt Doug Kendall Steve Lefemine
Party Democratic Libertarian Constitution
Popular vote 121,912 11,013 8,930
Percentage 85.9% 7.8% 6.3%

 
County results
Spratt:      70–80%      80–90%      90–100%

U.S. Representative before election

John Spratt
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

John Spratt
Democratic

 

In this conservative-leaning district based in northern South Carolina, Democratic Congressman John Spratt has managed to maintain his popularity since he was first elected in 1982. This year proved to be no different, and Spratt, seeking an eleventh term, defeated Libertarian Doug Kendall and Constitution Party candidate Steve Lefemine in a landslide.

South Carolina's 5th congressional district election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Spratt (inc.) 121,912 85.87
Libertarian Doug Kendall 11,013 7.76
Constitution Steve Lefemine 8,930 6.29
Write-ins 117 0.08
Total votes 141,972 100.00
Democratic hold

District 6

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This district, the most liberal one in South Carolina, was crafted to ensure an African-American majority in it. Pulling from central South Carolina counties and from black-dominated areas in Charleston and Columbia, it achieved its purpose. Congressman Jim Clyburn, an African-American, has represented this district since 1993 and sought a sixth term in the general election. Clyburn took full advantage of the district's Democratic tendencies and steamrolled Republican Gary McLeod and Libertarian Craig Augenstein.

South Carolina's 6th congressional district election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jim Clyburn (inc.) 115,855 66.95
Republican Gary McLeod 55,490 32.07
Libertarian R. Craig Augenstein 1,662 0.96
Write-ins 40 0.02
Total votes 173,047 100.00
Democratic hold

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives".
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