Primary elections were held on August 25. In the general election, four incumbents were re-elected; however, incumbent DemocratLiz J. Patterson of the 4th district was defeated in her bid for a fourth term by Republican challenger Bob Inglis. Additionally, control of the open 6th district 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.
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.[1] The court's plan, which was issued on May 1, 1992,[2] 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.[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.[1] The incumbent was Republican Arthur Ravenel Jr., who was re-elected with 65.5% of the vote in 1990.
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.[1] The incumbent was Republican Floyd Spence, who was re-elected with 88.9% of the vote in 1990.
The 3rd district is based in both the Upstate and 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.[1] The incumbent was Democrat Butler Derrick, who was re-elected with 62.1% of the vote of in 1990.
The 4th District is located solely in the Upstate and includes all of Greenville, Spartanburg, and Union counties; additionally, the 4th gained parts of Laurens County in redistricting.[1] The incumbent was Democrat Liz J. Patterson, who was re-elected with 61.4% of the vote in 1990.
The 5th district comprises portions of the Upstate, Midlands, and Pee Dee, including all of Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Dillon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Marlboro, Newberry, and York counties, along with parts of Darlington, Lee, and Sumter counties; the 5th was shifted away from the Upstate and towards the Pee Dee during redistricting and resulting lost Laurens County. The incumbent was Democrat John Spratt, who was re-elected unopposed in 1990.
The 6th district is centrally located and largely made up of split counties from the Pee Dee, Midlands, and Lowcountry; incorporating parts of Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Colleton, Darlington, Dorchester, Lee, Orangeburg, Richland, and Sumter counties, it also includes all of Bamberg, Clarendon, Florence, Marion, and Williamsburg counties. During redistricting, there was bipartisan support from Republicans and black Democrats to transform the 6th into a majority-minority seat.[1] The incumbent was Democrat Robin Tallon, who was re-elected unopposed in 1990.
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