The 1916 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1916, to select the governor of the state of South Carolina. Governor Richard Irvine Manning III faced a strong challenge from former governor Coleman Livingston Blease in the Democratic primary, but Manning won a second two-year term as governor.
Governor Richard Irvine Manning III ran for a second term, but faced a challenge in the state Democraticprimary from former governor Coleman Livingston Blease and Robert Archer Cooper. The progressive reforms initiated by Governor Manning alarmed many of the textile owners who threw their support to Cooper. Blease revived his political coalition of mill workers and sharecroppers and he made political capital out of Manning's use of troops to enforce a court eviction order against strikers at a mill in Anderson. SenatorBen Tillman openly supported the re-election of Governor Manning.
The results of the primary on August 29 had Blease in first place, but just short of a majority necessary to avoid a runoff election. With the elimination of Cooper, the mill executives threw their support to Manning. Indeed, most South Carolinians not already supporting Blease preferred Manning to Blease. Many viewed the election as one of government and misgovernment. Manning eked out a victory in the runoff on September 12 and was essentially elected to a second two-year term because there was nominal opposition in the general election.
Democratic Primary
Candidate
Votes
%
Coleman Livingston Blease
64,384
46.7
Richard Irvine Manning III
41,536
30.2
Robert Archer Cooper
31,305
22.7
John M. DesChamps
307
0.2
John T. Duncan
269
0.2
Democratic Primary Runoff
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Richard Irvine Manning III
71,463
51.7
+21.5
Coleman Livingston Blease
66,791
48.3
+1.6
General election[]
The general election was held on November 7, 1916, and Richard Irvine Manning III was re-elected governor of South Carolina without opposition. Turnout increased over the previous gubernatorial election because there was also a presidential election on the ballot.
"Results of First Primary Declared". The News and Courier. 6 September 1916. p. 2.
"Governor Manning Declared Nominee". The News and Courier. 20 September 1916. p. 2.
Jordan, Frank E. The Primary State: A History of the Democratic Party in South Carolina, 1876–1962. pp. 31–33.
"Report of the Secretary of State to the General Assembly of South Carolina. Part II." Reports and Resolutions of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina. Volume II. Columbia, South Carolina: 1917, pp. 5–6.