South Carolina 2017 General Election

The Green Papers: South Carolina 2017 General Election

This page is for offices up for election in 2017. Find 2018 elections here.

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South Carolina
Elections for Statewide offices and Congress
✓ Special Primary House CD 5: Tuesday 2 May 2017
✓ Special Runoff (GOP) House CD 5: Tuesday 16 May 2017
✓ Special General Election House CD 5: Tuesday 20 June 2017

✓ Monday 13 March 2017 - Filing Deadline .
✓ Tuesday 2 May 2017 - Special Primary House CD 5. Polling hours reportedly 7:00a-7:00p EDT (1100-2300 UTC).
✓ Tuesday 16 May 2017 - Special Runoff (GOP) House CD 5. Polling hours 7:00a-7:00p EDT (1100-2300 UTC).
✓ Tuesday 20 June 2017 - Special General Election House CD 5. Polling hours reportedly 7:00a-7:00p EDT (1100-2300 UTC).

Senators:	2	(Electoral Classes 2 and 3)
Governor:	1
2010 Census:	4,645,975	(1.50% of 309,785,186)
2012, 2016, 2020 Electoral Votes:	9	(1.67% of 538)
2012-2020 Representatives:	7	(1.61% of 435)
Capital:	Columbia

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South Carolina State and Local Government

If no candidate receives at least 50% of the vote in the primary, a runoff will be held between the top two vote-getters.

Voters who voted in a party's primary, can vote only in the runoff of the same party. Voters who did not vote in the primary, may vote in either party's runoff.

The primary is for Democratic and Republican candidates only. Candidates running unopposed for their Party's nomination will not appear on primary ballots.

Voters may not vote in a political party's runoff if they voted in another political party's primary. However, voters who did not vote in either politicial party's primary may vote in either politicial party's runoff.

A defeated primary candidate may not actively offer or campaign as a write-in candidate for the ensuing election. The use of posters or stickers on the ballot is not permitted. The voting machine provides for a voter to write-in a candidate. Write-in votes are not allowed in primary elections or the election of President or Vice-president.

While the state permits fusion (a candidate may be nominated by multiple parties), if a candidate runs for and looses a primary (of any party), the candidate cannot appear on the November ballot.

The Constitution, Green, Independence, Labor, Libertarian, United Citizens, and Working Families Parties may nominate by convention.



U.S. Senate 6 year term. No Term Limit. 115^th Senate Senate Electoral Classes

Class 2		Republican	Senator Lindsey Olin Graham • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2008, 2014 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 3 November 2020
	Candidate list (1)

		*Republican*			*Senator Lindsey Olin Graham* • FEC S0SC00149

Class 3		Republican	Senator Timothy E. "Tim" Scott • Served in U.S. House- first elected: 2010; re-elected: 2012. Appointed to the U.S. Senate: 2 January 2013 (re: resignation of Senator James W. "Jim" DeMint [Republican]); first elected in a special election: 4 November 2014; re-elected: 2016. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 8 November 2022

Governor 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2014, 2018. Term Limit: 2 consecutive 4-year terms, All Governors

		Republican	Governor Henry D. McMaster • 24 January 2017: Ascended to the Governor's Chair following the resignation of Governor Nikki Randhawa Haley (Republican) who became United Nations Ambassador. • Chair up for regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2018 • The current Governor is unaffected by the State's term limit.
	Candidate list (7)

		Democratic			Phil Noble
		Democratic			state Representative James E. Smith, Jr.

		Republican			Lieutenant Governor Kevin L. Bryant
		Republican			former Democratic Lieutenant Governor and state Senator J. Yancey McGill • 21 March 2016: Announced candidacy as a Republican.
		*Republican*			Governor Henry D. McMaster • for Lieutenant Governor: Pamela Evette
		Republican			former Department of Health and Environmental Control chief Catherine Templeton
		Republican			John Warren
	23 November 2016: President-elect Trump nominates Governor Nikki Randhawa Haley (Republican) for the position of United Nations Ambassador. 24 January 2017: Governor Nikki Randhawa Haley (Republican), who was first elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2014, was confirmed as United Nations Ambassador by the U.S. Senate, 96-4. Shortly after confirmation, she resigned as Governor and Lieutenant Governor Henry D. McMaster (Republican) ascended to the Governor's chair.

Lieutenant Governor 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2014, 2018. (Beginning in 2018, the Lieutenant Governor will be elected on same ticket with the Governor.)

		Republican	Lieutenant Governor Kevin L. Bryant • Appointed: 25 January 2017 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2018 • Open Seat - Running for Governor in 2018.
	24 January 2017: Lieutenant Governor Henry D. McMaster (Republican), who was first elected in 2014, ascended to the Governor's chair. Wednesday 25 January 2017: State Senator Kevin L. Bryant (Republican) was "elevated" to the Lieutenant Governor's chair by his fellow State Senators.

115^th U.S. House of Representatives 2-year term. Election Cycle 2018, 2020. No Term Limit. 115^th House
Partisan Composition (primary disposition): 6 Republican (6 Undetermined); 1 Democratic (1 Undetermined)

Incumbent - 115th Congress
CD 1		Republican	Congressman Marshall Clement "Mark" Sanford, Jr. • First elected: 1994, re-elected: 1996, 1998. Governor of South Carolina: 2003-2011. Re-elected to Congress: 7 May 2013 in a Special Election (to fill the vacant seat caused by the appointment of Congressman Timothy E. "Tim" Scott to the U.S. Senate). • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2018
	Candidate list (3) - 116th Congress

		Democratic			Joe Cunningham • FEC H8SC01116; 30 Sep 17; Tot $105,474; Dsb $56,311

		Republican			state Representative Katherine Elizabeth "Katie" Arrington • FEC H8SC01124; 30 Sep 17; Tot $118,959; Dsb $36,258
		*Republican*			*Congressman Marshall Clement "Mark" Sanford, Jr.* • FEC H4SC01073; 30 Sep 17; Tot $422,818; Dsb $30,306

Incumbent - 115th Congress
CD 2		Republican	Congressman Addison Graves "Joe" Wilson • First Elected 18 December 2001 in a special election to fill the seat vacated by the death of Floyd Spence. • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2018
	Candidate list (3) - 116th Congress

		Democratic			Sean J. Carrigan • FEC H8SC02106; 04 Oct 17; Tot $0; Dsb $0
		Democratic			Annabelle Robertson

		*Republican*			*Congressman Addison Graves "Joe" Wilson* • FEC H2SC02059; 30 Sep 17; Tot $321,406; Dsb $333,306

Incumbent - 115th Congress
CD 3		Republican	Congressman Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Duncan • First elected: 2010 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2018
	Candidate list (3) - 116th Congress

		Democratic			Hosea N. Cleveland • FEC H4SC03111; 30 Sep 17; Tot $1,595; Dsb $1,328
		Democratic			Mary Smith Geren • FEC H8SC03070; 30 Sep 17; Tot $35,882; Dsb $27,778

		*Republican*			*Congressman Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Duncan* • FEC H0SC03077; 30 Sep 17; Tot $157,771; Dsb $112,164

Incumbent - 115th Congress
CD 4		Republican	Congressman Harold W. "Trey" Gowdy, III • First elected: 2010 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2018
	Candidate list (4) - 116th Congress

		Democratic			Christopher Neil "Chris" Chastain • FEC H8SC04219
		Democratic			John Timothy "J.T." Davis • FEC H8SC04201
		Democratic			Will Morin

		*Republican*			*Congressman Harold W. "Trey" Gowdy, III* • FEC H0SC04257; 30 Sep 17; Tot $1,296,903; Dsb $925,680

Incumbent - 115th Congress
CD 5		Republican	Congressman Ralph W. Norman, Jr. • First elected in a Special Election: 20 June 2017 [re: resignation of Congressman John Michael "Mick" Mulvaney (Republican) to become Director of the Office of Management and Budget in the Trump Administration] • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2018
	Candidate list (1) - 116th Congress

		Democratic			Archie Parnell • FEC H8SC05174; 30 Sep 17; Tot $1,047,354; Dsb $1,041,457
	Congressman John Michael "Mick" Mulvaney (Republican), who was first elected in 2010, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Director of the Office of Management and Budget in the Trump Administration on 16 February 2017. He was nominated on 16 December 2016 by President-elect Trump. A special partisan primary to fill his vacant seat was held on 2 May 2017. Since no one received a majority in either party, there was a partisan primary runoff on 16 May 2017. The general election was 20 June 2017. 16 February 2017: U.S. House of Representatives District 5 Special Election from the South Carolina State Election Commission. 20 June 2017: state Representative Ralph W. Norman, Jr. is elected in a Special Election. U.S. House of Representatives District 5 Special Election from the South Carolina State Election Commission.

Special Election - 115th Congress
CD 5 Special Election		Republican	• Seat up for special election: Tuesday 20 June 2017 • Special Election
	Candidate list (5, 1 write-in)

		Republican	45,076	51.04%	state Representative Ralph W. Norman, Jr. • Received 30% in the 2 May 2017 primary. Advances to the 16 May runoff. 16 May 2017: 50.29%. Won the runoff. Advances to the 20 June Special Election. • FEC H8SC05158; 30 Sep 17; Tot $1,594,819; Dsb $1,463,223

		Democratic	42,341	47.94%	Archie Parnell • Received 71% in the 2 May 2017 primary. Advances to the 20 June Special Election. • FEC H8SC05174; 30 Sep 17; Tot $1,047,354; Dsb $1,041,457

		American	319	0.36%	Josh Thornton • FEC H8SC05166; 16 Oct 17; Tot $5,398; Dsb $5,398

		Libertarian	273	0.31%	Victor Kocher • FEC H8SC05208

		Green	242	0.27%	David Kulma • FEC H8SC05232

		Scattering	65	0.07%	Write-In
Total			88,316	100.00%
	Congressman John Michael "Mick" Mulvaney (Republican) was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Director of the Office of Management and Budget in the Trump Administration on 16 February 2017. A special partisan primary (Democratic and Republican) to fill his vacant seat will be held 2 May 2017. If no one receives a majority, there will be a partisan primary runoff 16 May 2017. The general election will be 20 June 2017. 16 February 2017: U.S. House of Representatives District 5 Special Election from the South Carolina State Election Commission. 2 May 2017: Primary returns from the South Carolina State Election Commission. 16 May 2015: U.S. House of Representatives District 5 Special Republican Runoff Election from the South Carolina State Election Commission. 20 June 2017: U.S. House of Representatives District 5 Special Election from the South Carolina State Election Commission.

Incumbent - 115th Congress
CD 6		Democratic	Congressman James Enos "Jim" Clyburn • First elected: 1992 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2018
	Candidate list (1) - 116th Congress

		*Democratic*			*Congressman James Enos "Jim" Clyburn* • FEC H2SC02042; 30 Sep 17; Tot $657,922; Dsb $690,520

Incumbent - 115th Congress
CD 7		Republican	Congressman Hugh T. "Tom" Rice, Jr. • First elected: 2012 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2018
	Candidate list (5) - 116th Congress

		Democratic			Bruce Fischer • FEC H8SC07048; 30 Sep 17; Tot $7,393; Dsb $5,526

		Republican			Jon James • FEC H8SC07014
		Republican			Johnny Allen Ray • FEC H8SC07030
		*Republican*			*Congressman Hugh T. "Tom" Rice, Jr.* • FEC H2SC07066; 30 Sep 17; Tot $796,862; Dsb $470,986
		Republican			John Ward • FEC H8SC07022

Secretary of State 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2014, 2018

		Republican	Secretary of State John Mark "Mark" Hammond • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006, 2010, 2014 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2018
	Candidate list (1)

		Republican			state Representative Joshua A. Putnam

Attorney General 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2014, 2018

		Republican	Attorney General Michael Alan "Alan" Wilson • First elected: 2010; re-elected: 2014 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2018
	Candidate list (2)

		Republican			William Herlong
		*Republican*			*Attorney General Michael Alan "Alan" Wilson*

Treasurer 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2014, 2018

		Republican	Treasurer Curtis M. "Curt" Loftis, Jr. • First elected: 2010; re-elected: 2014 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2018

Comptroller General 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2014, 2018

		Republican	Comptroller General Richard A. Eckstrom • First elected: 2002; re-elected: 2006, 2010, 2014 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2018

Adjutant General 4 year term, Final Election Cycle: 2002. The South Carolina Constitution was amended in 2015 to provide for the appointment of the Adjutant General by the Governor with advice and consent of the State Senate. The Adjutant General is no longer an elected office.

		Republican	Adjutant General Robert E. "Bob" Livingston, Jr. • First elected: 2010; re-elected: 2014 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2018

Commissioner of Agriculture 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2014, 2018

		Republican	Agriculture Commissioner Hugh E. Weathers • Named Interim Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of South Carolina on 14 September 2004 by Governor Mark Sanford upon the suspension of Republican Agriculture Commissioner Charles "Charlie" Sharpe; first elected: 2006; re-elected: 2010, 2014 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2018

Superintendent of Education 4 year term, Election Cycle: 2014, 2018

		Republican	Education Superintendent Molly Mitchell Spearman • First elected: 2014 • Seat up for regular election: Tuesday 6 November 2018

Political Parties Parties appear in parenthesis and italics when a candidate receives the endorsement of a given Party and/or official sources indicate a candidate's association with a particular Party but only where the Party in question does not appear on the actual ballot as such.

Major Parties Those parties which received electoral votes through winning a plurality of a state's [or the District of Columbia's] popular vote in any presidential election between 1984 and 2016. See Classification of Political parties.
	• Democratic (affiliates): 1 incumbent, 14 candidates
	• Republican: 18 incumbents, 19 candidates
Major Third Parties Any Party, other than a Major Party, receiving a minimum of 15/100ths of 1 percent of the nationwide popular vote in any presidential election between 1984 and 2016. See Classification of Political parties.
	• Green (affiliates): 1 candidate
	• Libertarian: 1 candidate
Other Third Parties
	• American: 1 candidate
Write-in/Scattered/otherwise not readily classifiable
	• Scattering: 1 candidate
Candidates running under the banner of more than one party are counted towards each party's total. A candidate who has lost a primary or is apparently no longer a candidate is not counted.

Notes

Candidates for office appear on this page in italics where 'The Green Papers' does not yet have independent confirmation from a legal election authority that the person has been officially certified to appear on the ballot.

Primary dates marked "presumably" and polling times marked "reportedly" are based on unofficial or estimated data (especially as regards local variations from a jurisdictionwide statutory and/or regulatory standard) and are, thereby, subject to change.

"FEC" indicates the Federal Election Commission (FEC) Campaign Finance Summary.

When available, we post each candidate's FEC identification number, the date of their most recently filed Report of Receipts and Disbursements, their "Tot" [Total Receipts (contributions received or what came in: FEC Form 3, Line 16, Column B)] and their "Dsb" [Total Disbursements (expenditures or what was spent: FEC Form 3, Line 23, Column B)]. A link is provided to the Federal Election Commission's Summary Report for those who might wish to explore the details.

If a candidate raises or spends $5,000 or less, he or she is not subject to FEC reporting requirements.