2002 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina explained

Election Name:2002 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina
Country:South Carolina
Type:legislative
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2000 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina
Previous Year:2000
Next Election:2004 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina
Next Year:2004
Seats For Election:All 6 South Carolina seats to the United States House of Representatives
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Last Election1:4
Seats1:4
Popular Vote1:569,267
Percentage1:57.83%
Swing1: 2.60%
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Last Election2:2
Seats2:2
Popular Vote2:344,972
Percentage2:35.04%
Swing2: 4.55%

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.

Overview

United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina, 2002[1]
PartyVotesPercentageSeats+/–
Republican569,26757.83%4
Democratic344,97235.04%2
United Citizens28,2032.86%0
Libertarian25,1102.55%0
Others16,8631.71%0
Totals984,415100.00%6

District 1

See also: South Carolina's 1st congressional district.

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.

District 2

See also: South Carolina's 2nd congressional district.

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.

District 3

See also: South Carolina's 3rd congressional district.

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.

District 4

See also: South Carolina's 4th congressional district.

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.

District 5

Election Name:2002 South Carolina's 5th congressional district election
Country:South Carolina
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2000 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina#District 5
Previous Year:2000
Next Election:2004 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina#District 5
Next Year:2004
Image1:John Spratt, official portrait, 111th Congress.jpg
Nominee1:John Spratt
Party1:Democratic Party (US)
Popular Vote1:121,912
Percentage1:85.9%
Nominee2:Doug Kendall
Party2:Libertarian Party (US)
Popular Vote2:11,013
Percentage2:7.8%
Image3:File:3x4.svg
Nominee3:Steve Lefemine
Party3:Constitution Party (US)
Popular Vote3:8,930
Percentage3:6.3%
Map Size:250px
U.S. Representative
Before Election:John Spratt
Before Party:Democratic Party (US)
After Election:John Spratt
After Party:Democratic Party (US)

See also: South Carolina's 5th congressional district.

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.

District 6

See also: South Carolina's 6th congressional district.

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.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives.