South Carolina's 2nd congressional district

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South Carolina's 2nd congressional district
Current Representative		Joe Wilson (R)
Population (2000)	668,668
Median income	$42,915
Ethnicity	69.5% White, 26.4% Black, 1.2% Asian, 3.3% Hispanic, 0.3% Native American, 0.1% other
Cook PVI	R+9

The 2nd Congressional District of South Carolina is a congressional district in central and eastern South Carolina. It includes all of Lexington, Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, Allendale and Barnwell counties; almost all of Richland County and parts of Aiken, Calhoun and Orangeburg counties. It is based in the state capital, Columbia; other major cities in the district are Beaufort and Hilton Head Island.

The district has been based in Columbia since 1933, when South Carolina lost a district as a result of the 1930 Census; before then, much of its territory had been the 6th District. It assumed its current configuration after the 1990 Census, when most of its black residents were drawn into the 7th District.

It has been in Republican hands since 1965, when the district's second-term Democratic congressman, Albert Watson, switched parties. The district's best-known congressman, Floyd Spence, represented the district for over 30 years and was chairman of the House Armed Services Committee from 1995 to 2001, when he died a few months after being elected to a 16th term. He was succeeded in a special election by one of his former aides, state senator Joe Wilson, who continues to hold the seat.

Wilson's most recent opponent was Rob Miller, who won 46% of the vote in 2008--the closest race in the district in 20 years. Miller is seeking a rematch in 2010.

[edit] List of Representatives

[edit] References

• Martis, Kenneth C. (1989). The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company. 
• Martis, Kenneth C. (1982). The Historical Atlas of United States Congressional Districts. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company. 
• Congressional Biographical Directory of the United States 1774–present
• Political Graveyard database of South Carolina congressmen