Sanford defeated State Representative Jenny Horne in the 2016 primary by only a 56-44 percent margin.[2] The closer than expected result led to speculation that Sanford could be vulnerable to another primary challenge in 2018.[3] Former Director of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental ControlCatherine Templeton was reportedly being recruited to challenge Sanford, but decided instead to run for governor.[4][5]
The 2nd district is located in central South Carolina and spans from Columbia to the South Carolina side of the Augusta, Georgia metropolitan area. The incumbent was Republican Joe Wilson, who had represented the district since 2001. Wilson was re-elected with 60% of the vote in 2016 and ran unopposed in the Republican Primary.
The 3rd district is located in northwestern South Carolina. The incumbent was Republican Jeff Duncan, who had represented the district since 2011. Duncan was re-elected with 73% of the vote in 2016.
The 4th district is located in Upstate South Carolina. The incumbent was Republican Trey Gowdy, who had represented the district since 2011. Gowdy was re-elected with 67% of the vote in 2016.
Gowdy announced in January 2018 that he would not run for re-election in 2018.[19]
The 5th district is located in northern South Carolina. The incumbent was Republican Ralph Norman, who had represented the district since 2017. Norman was elected with 51% of the vote in a 2017 special election to replace Mick Mulvaney. Norman's challenger in the special election, Archie Parnell, announced on the 9th of October that he would seek the Democratic nomination for the 2018 election for District 5. The primaries were held on June 12th, 2018. Incumbent Ralph Norman was unopposed for the Republican nomination.
Democratic primary
Special election candidate and former Goldman Sachs employee Parnell had the most fundraising of the four democratic candidates as of June 9th.[20] He was opposed by former York County Councilwoman Sidney Moore,[21] professional clown Steven Lough,[22] and Mark Ali, a former undocumented immigrant.[23] Parnell's campaign was overshadowed by the resignation of many of his campaign staff after the discovery of allegations of domestic violence committed by him in 1973.[24] However, he refused to drop out of the race, and won the primary with 60% of the vote.
The 6th district is located in central and southern South Carolina. The incumbent was Democrat Jim Clyburn, who had represented the district since 1993. Clyburn was re-elected with 70% of the vote in 2016.
The 7th district is located in northeastern South Carolina. The incumbent was Republican Tom Rice, who had represented the district since 2013. Rice was re-elected with 61% of the vote in 2016.
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