The 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina were held on November 8, 2016, to elect the seven U.S. representatives from the state of South Carolina, one from each of the state's seven congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2016 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. The primaries were held on June 14.
Overview DistrictRepublicanDemocraticOthersTotalResult Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes % 190,410 58.56% 119,779 36.84% 14,981 4.61% 325,170 100.0% Republican hold 183,746 60.25% 109,452 35.89% 11,798 3.87% 304,996 100.0% Republican hold 198,431 72.82% 73,766 27.07% 284 0.10% 272,481 100.0% Republican hold 198,648 67.19% 91,676 31.01% 5,346 1.81% 295,670 100.0% Republican hold 175,909 59.07% 115,437 38.77% 6,435 2.16% 297,781 100.0% Republican hold 70,099 27.61% 177,947 70.09% 5,855 2.31% 253,901 100.0% Democratic hold 176,468 60.96% 112,744 38.95% 251 0.09% 289,463 100.0% Republican holdTotal 1,193,711 58.53% 800,801 39.27% 44,950 2.20% 2,039,462 100.0%
District 1
The 1st district is located on the Atlantic coastal plain, from Seabrook Island to the border with North Carolina and includes most of Charleston and Myrtle Beach. The incumbent was Republican Mark Sanford, who had represented the district since 2013, and previously from 1995 to 2001. The district had a PVI of R+11.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Mark Sanford, incumbent U.S. representative
Eliminated in primary Jenny Horne, state representative
Campaign During the campaign, Sanford had a significant fundraising advantage over Horne. During their sole debate, the two expressed contrasting views on Donald Trump. Sanford said, "I think he says some things which are very, very strange. Some of which are destructive." Horne said, "I think what Donald Trump is appealing to is the anger and frustration that a lot of us feel in the U.S..."
Results Horne polled stronger than expected, with Sanford receiving 56% of the vote to Horne's 44%.
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Dimitri Cherny, truck driver, former high-tech product manager and activist
He also received the Working Families and Green Party nominations.
General election Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportNovember 7, 2016Daily Kos ElectionsNovember 7, 2016 RothenbergNovember 3, 2016 Sabato's Crystal BallNovember 7, 2016RCPOctober 31, 2016
Results
District 2
The 2nd district is located in central South Carolina and spans from Columbia to the South Carolina side of the Augusta, Georgia metropolitan area. The incumbent was Republican Joe Wilson, who had represented the district since 2001. The Democratic and Green Party nominee was Arik Bjorn. The district had a PVI of R+16.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Joe Wilson, incumbent U.S. representative
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Arik Bjorn, former manager of South Carolina's SmartState program
Eliminated in primary Phil Black, businessman and Republican candidate for this seat in 2008, 2010 & 2012 and nominee for this seat in 2014
Results
General election Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportNovember 7, 2016Daily Kos ElectionsNovember 7, 2016 RothenbergNovember 3, 2016 Sabato's Crystal BallNovember 7, 2016RCPOctober 31, 2016
Results
District 3
The 3rd district is located in western South Carolina. The incumbent was Republican Jeff Duncan, who had represented the district since 2011. The district had a PVI of R+18.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Jeff Duncan, incumbent U.S. representative
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Hosea Cleveland, small business owner and candidate for this seat in 2014
General election Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportNovember 7, 2016Daily Kos ElectionsNovember 7, 2016 RothenbergNovember 3, 2016 Sabato's Crystal BallNovember 7, 2016RCPOctober 31, 2016
Results
District 4
The 4th district is located in Upstate South Carolina. The incumbent was Republican Trey Gowdy, who had represented the district since 2011. The district had a PVI of R+15.
Republican primary After Gowdy declined to run for House majority leader following the announcement of the resignation of Speaker of the House John Boehner, in 2015, John Fleming, a Republican congressman from Louisiana, told reporters that Gowdy would not run for reelection in 2016. Gowdy's office denied the report, and said that he had "every intention" of running in 2016.
Candidates Nominee Trey Gowdy, incumbent U.S. representative
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Chris Fedalei, attorney
General election In the November general election, Gowdy faced Democrat Chris Fedalei, a 26-year-old attorney who had never held elected office.
Debates Complete video of debate, October 24, 2016
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportNovember 7, 2016Daily Kos ElectionsNovember 7, 2016 RothenbergNovember 3, 2016 Sabato's Crystal BallNovember 7, 2016RCPOctober 31, 2016
Results
District 5
The 5th district is located in northern South Carolina. The incumbent was Republican Mick Mulvaney, who had represented the district since 2011. The district had a PVI of R+9.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Mick Mulvaney, incumbent U.S. representative
Eliminated in primary Ray Craig, international ministry aid worker
Results
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Fran Person, former aide to Joe Biden and former University of South Carolina football player
Withdrawn John King, state representative
General election Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportNovember 7, 2016Daily Kos ElectionsNovember 7, 2016 RothenbergNovember 3, 2016 Sabato's Crystal BallNovember 7, 2016RCPOctober 31, 2016
Results
District 6
The 6th district is located in central and southern South Carolina. The incumbent was Democrat Jim Clyburn, who had represented the district since 1993. The Green Party nominee was Prince Charles Mallory. The district had a PVI of D+21.
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Jim Clyburn, incumbent U.S. representative
Withdrawn Ben Garves
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Laura Sterling
General election Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportNovember 7, 2016Daily Kos ElectionsNovember 7, 2016 RothenbergNovember 3, 2016 Sabato's Crystal BallNovember 7, 2016RCPOctober 31, 2016
Results
District 7
The 7th district is located in northeastern South Carolina. The incumbent was Republican Tom Rice, who had represented this district since 2013. The Democratic and Green Party candidate was Mal Hynam. The district had a PVI of R+7.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Tom Rice, incumbent U.S. representative
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Mal Hyman, Coker University professor
General election Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportNovember 7, 2016Daily Kos ElectionsNovember 7, 2016 RothenbergNovember 3, 2016 Sabato's Crystal BallNovember 7, 2016RCPOctober 31, 2016
Results
References
External links U.S. House elections in South Carolina, 2016 at Ballotpedia Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets