2002 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

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2002 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina
Flag of South Carolina.svg
  2000 November 5, 2002 (2002-11-05) 2004  

All 6 South Carolina seats to the United States House of Representatives
 Majority partyMinority party
 
Party Republican Democratic
Last election42
Seats won42
Seat changeSteady2.svgSteady2.svg
Popular vote569,267344,972
Percentage57.83%35.04%
SwingIncrease2.svg 2.60%Decrease2.svg 4.55%

2002-2008 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina results map by winner.svg
2002 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina results map by vote share.svg
2002 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina by county.svg
South Carolina's 6 congressional districts SC-districts-108.JPG
South Carolina's 6 congressional districts

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.

Contents

Overview

United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina, 2002 [1]
PartyVotesPercentageSeats+/–
Republican 569,26757.83%4
Democratic 344,97235.04%2
United Citizens 28,2032.86%0
Libertarian 25,1102.55%0
Others16,8631.71%0
Totals984,415100.00%6

District 1

United States House of Representatives, South Carolina District 1 map.png

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.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
Sabato's Crystal Ball [2] Safe RNovember 4, 2002
New York Times [3] Safe ROctober 14, 2002

Results

South Carolina's 1st congressional district election, 2002
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Henry E. Brown, Jr. (inc.) 127,562 89.56
United Citizens James E. Dunn9,8416.91
Natural Law Joe Innella4,9653.49
Write-ins570.04
Total votes142,425 100.00
Republican hold

District 2

United States House of Representatives, South Carolina District 2 map.png

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.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
Sabato's Crystal Ball [2] Safe RNovember 4, 2002
New York Times [3] Safe ROctober 14, 2002

Results

South Carolina's 2nd congressional district election, 2002
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Joe Wilson (inc.) 144,149 84.12
United Citizens Mark Whittington17,18910.03
Libertarian Jim Legg9,6505.63
Write-ins3710.22
Total votes171,359 100.00
Republican hold

District 3

United States House of Representatives, South Carolina District 3 map.png

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.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
Sabato's Crystal Ball [2] Safe RNovember 4, 2002
New York Times [3] Safe ROctober 14, 2002

Results

South Carolina's 3rd congressional district election, 2002
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican J. Gresham Barrett 119,644 67.14
Democratic George L. Brightharp55,74331.28
Libertarian Mike Boerste2,7851.56
Write-ins230.01
Total votes178,195 100.00
Republican hold

District 4

United States House of Representatives, South Carolina District 4 map.png

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.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
Sabato's Crystal Ball [2] Safe RNovember 4, 2002
New York Times [3] Safe ROctober 14, 2002

Results

South Carolina's 4th congressional district election, 2002
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jim DeMint (inc.) 122,422 69.00
Democratic Peter J. Ashy52,63529.67
Natural Law C. Faye Walters2,1761.23
Write-ins1840.10
Total votes177,417 100.00
Republican hold

District 5

2002 South Carolina's 5th congressional district election
Flag of South Carolina.svg
  2000
2004  
  John Spratt, official portrait, 111th Congress.jpg 3x4.svg 3x4.svg
Nominee John Spratt Doug KendallSteve Lefemine
Party Democratic Libertarian Constitution
Popular vote121,91211,0138,930
Percentage85.9%7.8%6.3%

2002 Election Results in SC5.svg
County results
Spratt:     70–80%     80–90%     90–100%

U.S. Representative before election

John Spratt
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

John Spratt
Democratic

United States House of Representatives, South Carolina District 5 map.png

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.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
Sabato's Crystal Ball [2] Safe DNovember 4, 2002
New York Times [3] Safe DOctober 14, 2002

Results

South Carolina's 5th congressional district election, 2002
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic John Spratt (inc.) 121,912 85.87
Libertarian Doug Kendall11,0137.76
Constitution Steve Lefemine8,9306.29
Write-ins1170.08
Total votes141,972 100.00
Democratic hold

District 6

United States House of Representatives, South Carolina District 6 map.png

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.

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
Sabato's Crystal Ball [2] Safe DNovember 4, 2002
New York Times [3] Safe DOctober 14, 2002

Results

South Carolina's 6th congressional district election, 2002
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Jim Clyburn (inc.) 115,855 66.95
Republican Gary McLeod55,49032.07
Libertarian R. Craig Augenstein1,6620.96
Write-ins400.02
Total votes173,047 100.00
Democratic hold

See also

References

  1. "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives".
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "50 most competitive House races of 2002". Sabato's Crystal Ball. November 6, 2002. Archived from the original on November 6, 2002. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "2002 Senate, House and Governor Ratings". The New York Times. October 14, 2002. Retrieved December 21, 2023.