1874 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

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The 1874 South Carolina United States House of Representatives elections were held on November 3, 1874 to select five Representatives for two-year terms from the state of South Carolina. Two incumbents were re-elected, two open seats were retained by the Republicans, and the open seat in the 2nd congressional district was picked up by the Independent Republicans. The composition of the state delegation after the election was four Republicans and one Independent Republican.

1st congressional district[edit]

Incumbent Republican Congressman Joseph Rainey of the 1st congressional district, in office since 1870, defeated Independent Republican Samuel Lee.

General election results[edit]

South Carolina's 1st congressional district election results, 1874
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Joseph Rainey (incumbent) 14,360 51.4 -48.6
Independent Republican Samuel Lee 13,563 48.6 +48.6
No party Write-Ins 3 0.0 0.0
Majority 797 2.8 -97.2
Turnout 27,926
Republican hold

2nd congressional district[edit]

Incumbent Republican Congressman Alonzo J. Ransier of the 2nd congressional district, in office since 1873, declined to run for re-election. Independent Republican Edmund William McGregor Mackey defeated Republican Charles W. Buttz in the general election.

General election results[edit]

South Carolina's 2nd congressional district election results, 1874
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Republican Edmund W.M. Mackey 16,746 54.1 +29.5
Republican Charles W. Buttz 14,204 45.9 -29.5
No party Write-Ins 5 0.0 0.0
Majority 2,542 8.2 -42.6
Turnout 30,955
Independent Republican gain from Republican

3rd congressional district Special Election[edit]

Incumbent Republican Congressman Robert B. Elliott of the 3rd congressional district, in office since 1871, resigned in 1874 so that he could return to South Carolina and stem the massive corruption on the part of the state Republican Party. A special election was called to be held simultaneously with the regular election. Lewis C. Carpenter was nominated by the Republicans and was unopposed in the special election.

General election results[edit]

South Carolina's 3rd congressional district Special election results, 1874
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Lewis C. Carpenter 20,648 99.6 +7.1
No party Write-Ins 87 0.4 -7.1
Majority 20,561 99.2 +11.6
Turnout 20,735
Republican hold

3rd congressional district[edit]

Solomon L. Hoge was nominated by the Republicans for the regular election of the 3rd congressional district and he defeated Conservative challenger Samuel McGowan.

General election results[edit]

South Carolina's 3rd congressional district election results, 1874
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Solomon L. Hoge 16,431 56.1 -43.5
Conservative Samuel McGowan 12,873 43.9 +43.9
Majority 3,558 12.2 -87.0
Turnout 29,304
Republican hold

4th congressional district[edit]

Incumbent Republican Congressman Alexander S. Wallace of the 4th congressional district, in office since 1870, defeated Conservative challenger Joseph B. Kershaw.

General election results[edit]

South Carolina's 4th congressional district election results, 1874
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Alexander S. Wallace (incumbent) 16,452 53.2 +0.1
Conservative Joseph B. Kershaw 14,455 46.8 +46.8
Majority 1,997 6.4 +0.2
Turnout 30,907
Republican hold

5th congressional district[edit]

Robert Smalls was nominated by the Republicans for the newly created 5th congressional district and he defeated Independent Republican J.P.M. Epping.

General election results[edit]

South Carolina's 5th congressional district election results, 1874
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert Smalls 17,752 79.4 N/A
Independent Republican J.P.M. Epping 4,461 19.9 N/A
No party Write-Ins 149 0.7 N/A
Majority 13,291 59.5 N/A
Turnout 22,362
Republican gain

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  • "Report of the Secretary of State to the General Assembly of South Carolina." Reports and Resolutions of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina at the Regular Session, 1873-'74. Columbia, SC: Republican Printing Company, 1874, pp. 86–88.