1986 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

The 1986 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina were held on November 4, 1986, 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 10 and the runoff elections were held two weeks later on June 24. All four incumbents who ran were re-elected and the Democrats picked up one of the two open seats vacated by the Republicans. The composition of the state delegation after the elections was four Democrats and two Republicans.[1]

1st congressional district

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Incumbent Republican Congressman Thomas F. Hartnett of the 1st congressional district, in office since 1981, chose to not seek re-election and instead made an unsuccessful run for lieutenant governor. The open seat was won by Republican state senator Arthur Ravenel, Jr.

Democratic primary

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Democratic primary
Candidate Votes %
Jimmy Stuckey 17,615 41.7
Mendel Jackson Davis 17,417 41.2
Fraiser 3,980 9.4
Garrett 3,261 7.7
Democratic primary runoff
Candidate Votes % ±%
Jimmy Stuckey 18,994 61.4 +19.7
Mendel Jackson Davis 11,956 38.6 +2.6

Republican primary

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Republican primary
Candidate Votes %
Arthur Ravenel, Jr. 8,487 56.5
Jones 4,964 33.1
Vanderhoff 1,561 10.4

General election results

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South Carolina's 1st congressional district election results, 1986
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Arthur Ravenel, Jr. 59,969 52.0 −9.7
Democratic Jimmy Stuckey 55,262 48.0 +9.7
No party Write-Ins 11 0.0 0.0
Majority 4,707 4.0 −19.4
Turnout 115,242
Republican hold

2nd congressional district

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Incumbent Republican Congressman Floyd Spence of the 2nd congressional district, in office since 1971, defeated Democratic challenger Fred Zeigler.

Democratic primary

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Democratic primary
Candidate Votes %
Fred Zeigler 36,450 81.4
Fairchild 8,350 18.6

General election results

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South Carolina's 2nd congressional district election results, 1986
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Floyd Spence (incumbent) 73,455 53.6 −8.5
Democratic Fred Zeigler 63,592 46.4 +9.7
No party Write-Ins 5 0.0 0.0
Majority 9,863 7.2 −18.2
Turnout 137,052
Republican hold

3rd congressional district

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Incumbent Democratic Congressman Butler Derrick of the 3rd congressional district, in office since 1975, defeated Republican challenger Richard Dickson.

General election results

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South Carolina's 3rd congressional district election results, 1986
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Butler Derrick (incumbent) 79,109 68.4 +10.0
Republican Richard Dickson 36,495 31.5 −9.1
No party Write-Ins 79 0.1 +0.1
Majority 42,614 36.9 +19.1
Turnout 115,683
Democratic hold

4th congressional district

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Incumbent Republican Congressman Carroll Campbell of the 4th congressional district, in office since 1979, chose to not seek re-election and instead made a successful run for governor. The open seat was won by Democratic state senator Liz J. Patterson.

Republican primary

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Republican primary
Candidate Votes %
William Workman III 8,487 51.8
Marchant 4,964 30.3
Adams 1,561 9.5
Ridgon 1,371 8.4

General election results

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South Carolina's 4th congressional district election results, 1986
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Liz J. Patterson 67,012 51.4 +16.2
Republican William Workman III 61,648 47.3 −16.6
American Bob Wilson 1,644 1.2 +1.2
No party Write-Ins 103 0.1 +0.1
Majority 5,364 4.1 −24.6
Turnout 130,407
Democratic gain from Republican

5th congressional district

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Incumbent Democratic Congressman John M. Spratt, Jr. of the 5th congressional district, in office since 1983, was unopposed in his bid for re-election.

General election results

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South Carolina's 5th congressional district election results, 1986
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John M. Spratt, Jr. (incumbent) 95,859 99.6 +7.8
No party Write-Ins 388 0.4 +0.4
Majority 95,471 99.2 +11.7
Turnout 96,247
Democratic hold

6th congressional district

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Incumbent Democratic Congressman Robin Tallon of the 6th congressional district, in office since 1983, defeated Republican challenger Robbie Cunningham.

Democratic primary

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Democratic primary
Candidate Votes %
Robin Tallon 61,924 89.8
Luther Lighty, Jr. 7,066 10.2

General election results

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South Carolina's 6th congressional district election results, 1986
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Robin Tallon (incumbent) 92,398 75.5 +15.6
Republican Robbie Cunningham 29,922 24.5 −14.3
No party Write-Ins 23 0.0 0.0
Majority 62,476 51.0 +29.9
Turnout 122,343
Democratic hold

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Election Report 1986-1987" (PDF). State of South Carolina Election Commission.