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.
Redistricting
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.