2012 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 and elected the seven U.S. representatives from the state of South Carolina, an increase of one seat as a result of reapportionment thanks to the continued strong growth found in South Carolina as reported in the 2010 United States census. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election. The people of South Carolina elected six Republicans and one Democrat to represent the state in the 113th United States Congress.

Redistricting
On July 26, 2011, the South Carolina House of Representatives and Senate passed a compromise redistricting bill which would place the new 7th district in the Pee Dee region. The bill was signed into law by Governor Nikki Haley on August 1.

Under the 1965 Voting Rights Act, South Carolina's congressional redistricting had to be pre-cleared by the U.S. Department of Justice or the United States District Court for the District of Columbia before it could be enacted. The Department of Justice precleared the map in October 2011; a subsequent lawsuit brought by six voters for discrimination under the new lines was dismissed by the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina in March 2012.

District 1
In redistricting, the 1st district was moved south along the coast to include Hilton Head and parts of Charleston County, and is expected to remain favorable to Republicans. Republican Tim Scott, who has represented the 1st district since January 2011, sought re-election.

Nominee

 * Tim Scott, incumbent U.S. Representative

Nominee

 * Bobbie Rose, former teacher and realtor

District 2
In redistricting, Hilton Head and its surrounding areas, and counties on the state's southern border were removed from the 2nd district, which now includes all of Aiken County. Republican Joe Wilson, who has represented the 2nd district since 2001, sought re-election.

Nominee

 * Joe Wilson, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Phil Black, businessman and candidate for this seat in 2008 & 2010

Democratic primary
No candidate filed to run on the Democratic side.

District 3
Redistricting added parts of Newberry and Greenville counties to the 3rd district; parts of Aiken County were removed. The district was expected to continue to favor Republicans. Republican Jeff Duncan, who has represented the 3rd district since January 2011, sought re-election.

Nominee

 * Jeff Duncan, incumbent U.S. Representative

Nominee

 * Brian Doyle, radio talk show host

Eliminated in primary

 * Cason Gaither, former field Organizer for Vincent Sheheen's gubernatorial campaign in 2010

District 4
The redrawn 4th district maintains a balance between Greenville and Spartanburg counties, and is expected to continue to favor Republicans. Republican Trey Gowdy, who has represented the 4th district since January 2011, sought re-election. Greenville artist Jeff Sumerel is the nominee of the South Carolina Green Party.

Nominee

 * Trey Gowdy, incumbent U.S. Representative

Nominee

 * Deb Morrow, retired computer system designer

Eliminated in primary

 * Jimmy Tobias, businessman

District 5
The 5th district, which extends from the North Carolina border to the outskirts of Sumter, was made more favorable to Republicans in redistricting. Republican Mick Mulvaney, who has represented the 5th district since January 2011, sought re-election.

Nominee

 * Mick Mulvaney, incumbent U.S. Representative

Nominee

 * Joyce Knott, businesswoman

District 6
The 6th district is expected to continue to strongly favor Democrats. Democrat Jim Clyburn, the Assistant Democratic Leader of the U.S. House who has represented the 6th district since 1993, faced Green Party nominee Nammu Muhammad.

Nominee

 * Jim Clyburn, incumbent U.S. Representative

District 7
The new 7th district will represent most of the Pee Dee region, including Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, and Marlboro counties, along with a part of Florence County, and is expected to favor Republicans.

Nominee

 * Gloria Bromell Tinubu, professor at Coastal Carolina University and former member of the Georgia state representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Preston Brittain, attorney
 * Parnell Diggs, attorney and president of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina
 * Harry Pavilack, attorney

Withdrawn

 * Ted Vick, South Carolina House of Representatives' minority whip

Declined

 * Stephen Wukela, mayor of Florence

Campaign
Ted Vick was considered to be the frontrunner until he was arrested in Columbia on the night of the May 14 on the Statehouse grounds and was charged with driving under the influence, speeding, and carrying a handgun without a permit. An officer had seen Vick stumbling as he walked into a parking garage, before getting into his car and hitting a cone before the officer could catch up. Vick smelled of alcohol but refused to take a breathalyzer test. Columbia Police Department officials indicated that Vick had been at a local bar prior to his arrest. A 21-year-old female USC student was in the car with Vick.

Vick would drop out of the race 10 days after his arrest.

Nominee

 * Tom Rice, chairman of the Horry County Council

Eliminated in primary

 * André Bauer, former lieutenant governor and candidate for Governor in 2010
 * Renée Culler, realtor
 * Katherine Jenerette, Army veteran and candidate for South Carolina's 1st congressional district in 2010
 * Jay Jordan, attorney
 * Jim Mader, businessman
 * Chad Prosser, former director of South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism
 * Randal Wallace, Myrtle Beach city council-member
 * Dick Withington, businessman and Democratic candidate for South Carolina's 1st congressional district in 2010

Withdrew

 * Thad Viers, state representative
 * Debbie Harwell, public relations firm owner
 * Mande Wilkes, attorney and local television host

Declined

 * Alan Clemmons, state representative