The 1988 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina were held on November 8, 1988 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 14. All six incumbents were re-elected and the composition of the state delegation remained four Democrats and two Republicans.
Incumbent Republican Congressman Arthur Ravenel, Jr. of the 1st congressional district, in office since 1987, defeated Democratic challenger Wheeler Tillman.
General election results[]
South Carolina's 1st congressional district election results, 1988
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Republican
Arthur Ravenel, Jr. (incumbent)
101,572
63.8
+11.8
Democratic
Wheeler Tillman
57,691
36.2
-11.8
No party
Write-Ins
42
0.0
0.0
Majority
43,881
27.6
+23.6
Turnout
159,305
Republicanhold
2nd congressional district[]
Incumbent Republican Congressman Floyd Spence of the 2nd congressional district, in office since 1971, defeated Democratic challenger Jim Leventis.
General election results[]
South Carolina's 2nd congressional district election results, 1988
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Republican
Floyd Spence (incumbent)
94,960
52.8
-0.8
Democratic
Jim Leventis
83,978
46.6
+0.2
Libertarian
Geb Sommer
1,061
0.6
+0.6
No party
Write-Ins
5
0.0
0.0
Majority
10,982
6.2
-1.0
Turnout
180,004
Republicanhold
3rd congressional district[]
Incumbent Democratic Congressman Butler Derrick of the 3rd congressional district, in office since 1975, defeated Republican challenger Henry Jordan.
General election results[]
South Carolina's 3rd congressional district election results, 1988
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Democratic
Butler Derrick (incumbent)
89,071
53.7
-14.7
Republican
Henry Jordan
75,571
45.6
+14.1
Libertarian
John B. Heaton
1,183
0.7
+0.7
No party
Write-Ins
8
0.0
-0.1
Majority
13,500
8.1
-28.8
Turnout
165,833
Democratichold
4th congressional district[]
Incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Liz J. Patterson of the 4th congressional district, in office since 1987, defeated Republican challenger Knox White.
Republican primary[]
Republican primary
Candidate
Votes
%
Knox White
15,096
56.9
Ted Adams
11,424
43.1
General election results[]
South Carolina's 4th congressional district election results, 1988
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Democratic
Liz J. Patterson (incumbent)
90,234
52.1
+0.7
Republican
Knox White
82,793
47.8
+0.5
No party
Write-Ins
108
0.1
0.0
Majority
7,441
4.3
+0.2
Turnout
173,135
Democratichold
5th congressional district[]
Incumbent Democratic Congressman John M. Spratt, Jr. of the 5th congressional district, in office since 1983, defeated Republican challenger Robert K. Carley.
General election results[]
South Carolina's 5th congressional district election results, 1988
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Democratic
John M. Spratt, Jr. (incumbent)
107,959
69.8
-29.8
Republican
Robert K. Carley
46,622
30.2
+30.2
No party
Write-Ins
17
0.0
-0.4
Majority
61,337
39.6
-59.6
Turnout
154,598
Democratichold
6th congressional district[]
Incumbent Democratic Congressman Robin Tallon of the 6th congressional district, in office since 1983, defeated Republican challenger Bob Cunningham.
Democratic primary[]
Democratic primary
Candidate
Votes
%
Robin Tallon
65,608
88.6
Luther Lighty, Jr.
8,448
11.4
Republican primary[]
Republican primary
Candidate
Votes
%
Bob Cunningham
2,283
50.7
Doug Cooke
2,218
49.3
General election results[]
South Carolina's 6th congressional district election results, 1988
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Democratic
Robin Tallon (incumbent)
120,719
76.1
+0.6
Republican
Bob Cunningham
37,958
23.9
-0.6
No party
Write-Ins
52
0.0
0.0
Majority
82,761
52.2
-1.2
Turnout
158,729
Democratichold
See also[]
United States House of Representatives elections, 1988