The 1972 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina were held on November 7, 1972 to select six Representatives for two-year terms from the state of South Carolina. The primary elections were held on August 29 and the runoff elections were held two weeks later on September 12. Five incumbents were re-elected and the only change was in the 6th district where Republican Edward Lunn Young succeeded Democrat John L. McMillan, who was defeated in the Democratic primary. The composition of the state delegation after the elections was four Democrats and two Republicans.
Incumbent Democratic Congressman Mendel Jackson Davis of the 1st congressional district, in office since 1971, won the Democratic primary and defeated Republican Sidi Limehouse in the general election.
Democratic primary[]
Democratic primary
Candidate
Votes
%
Mendel Jackson Davis
37,493
72.3
Benjamin Frasier
11,247
21.7
Milton L. Dukes
3,093
6.0
General election results[]
South Carolina's 1st congressional district election results, 1972
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Democratic
Mendel J. Davis (incumbent)
61,376
54.3
+6.0
Republican
Sidi Limehouse
51,728
45.7
+4.3
Majority
9,648
8.6
+1.7
Turnout
113,104
Democratichold
2nd congressional district[]
Incumbent Republican Congressman Floyd Spence of the 2nd congressional district, in office since 1971, was unopposed in his bid for re-election.
General election results[]
South Carolina's 2nd congressional district election results, 1972
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Republican
Floyd Spence (incumbent)
79,667
100.0
+46.9
Majority
79,667
100.0
+93.3
Turnout
79,667
Republicanhold
3rd congressional district[]
Incumbent Democratic Congressman William Jennings Bryan Dorn of the 3rd congressional district, in office since 1951, defeated Republican challenger Ray Ethridge.
General election results[]
South Carolina's 3rd congressional district election results, 1972
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Democratic
William J.B. Dorn (incumbent)
82,579
75.2
0.0
Republican
Ray Ethridge
27,173
24.8
0.0
Majority
55,406
50.4
0.0
Turnout
109,752
Democratichold
4th congressional district[]
Incumbent Democratic Congressman James R. Mann of the 4th congressional district, in office since 1969, defeated Republican challenger Wayne N. Whatley.
General election results[]
South Carolina's 4th congressional district election results, 1972
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Democratic
James R. Mann (incumbent)
64,989
66.1
-33.9
Republican
Wayne N. Whatley
33,363
33.9
+33.9
Majority
31,626
32.2
-67.8
Turnout
98,352
Democratichold
5th congressional district[]
Incumbent Democratic Congressman Thomas S. Gettys of the 5th congressional district, in office since 1964, defeated Republican challenger B. Leonard Phillips.
General election results[]
South Carolina's 5th congressional district election results, 1972
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Democratic
Thomas S. Gettys (incumbent)
66,343
60.9
-5.0
Republican
B. Leonard Phillips
42,620
39.1
+6.0
Majority
23,723
21.8
-11.0
Turnout
108,963
Democratichold
6th congressional district[]
Incumbent Democratic Congressman John L. McMillan of the 6th congressional district, in office since 1939, was defeated in the Democratic primary. Republican Edward Lunn Young defeated Democrat John Jenrette in the general election.
Democratic primary[]
Democratic primary
Candidate
Votes
%
John L. McMillan
38,542
43.9
John Jenrette
25,730
29.3
Bill R. Craig
23,476
26.8
Democratic primary runoff
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
John Jenrette
36,057
50.6
+21.3
John L. McMillan
35,212
49.4
+5.5
General election results[]
South Carolina's 6th congressional district election results, 1972
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Republican
Edward Lunn Young
60,766
53.4
+18.5
Democratic
John Jenrette
53,085
46.6
-17.5
Majority
7,681
6.8
-22.4
Turnout
113,851
Republicangain from Democratic
See also[]
United States House elections, 1972
United States Senate election in South Carolina, 1972