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1944 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

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The 1944 South Carolina United States House of Representatives elections were held on November 7, 1944, to select six Representatives for two-year terms from the state of South Carolina. All five incumbents who ran were re-elected and the open seat in the 2nd congressional district was retained by the Democrats. The composition of the state delegation thus remained solely Democratic.

1st Congressional District

Incumbent Democratic Congressman L. Mendel Rivers of the 1st congressional district, in office since 1941, defeated Republican challenger O.H. Wilcox.

General election results

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South Carolina's 1st Congressional District Election Results, 1944
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic L. Mendel Rivers (incumbent) 15,326 92.8 −7.2
Republican O.H. Wilcox 1,190 7.2 +7.2
No party Write-Ins 1 0.0 0.0
Majority 14,136 85.6 −14.4
Turnout 16,517
Democratic hold

2nd Congressional District Special Election

Incumbent Democratic Congressman Hampton P. Fulmer of the 2nd congressional district died on October 19, 1944, and a special election was called for November 7 to be held simultaneously with the regular election. Fulmer's widow, Willa L. Fulmer, was unnopposed in the special election to serve out the remainder of the term.

General election results

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South Carolina's 2nd Congressional District Special Election Results, 1944
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Willa L. Fulmer 7,943 100.0 0.0
Majority 7,943 100.0 0.0
Turnout 7,943
Democratic hold

2nd Congressional District

Willa L. Fulmer, who ran in the special election for the 2nd congressional district, was not also a contestant for the regular election to the 79th Congress. John J. Riley won the Democratic primary on November 1 and defeated Republican H.G. Willingham in the general election.

Democratic primary

Democratic Primary
Candidate Votes %
John J. Riley 11,772 52.2
Joe E. Berry 8,161 36.2
D.M. Winter 2,607 11.6

General election results

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South Carolina's 2nd Congressional District Election Results, 1944
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John J. Riley 19,342 98.0 −2.0
Republican H.G. Willingham 398 2.0 +2.0
No party Write-Ins 1 0.0 0.0
Majority 18,944 96.0 −4.0
Turnout 19,741
Democratic hold

3rd Congressional District

Incumbent Democratic Congressman Butler B. Hare of the 3rd congressional district, in office since 1939, won the Democratic primary and defeated Republican D.F. Merrill in the general election.

Democratic primary

Democratic Primary
Candidate Votes %
Butler B. Hare 26,320 55.4
R.L. "Buck" Gamble 14,484 30.5
Leon Rice 6,692 14.1

General election results

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South Carolina's 3rd Congressional District Election Results, 1944
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Butler B. Hare (incumbent) 13,105 97.0 −3.0
Republican D.F. Merrill 404 3.0 +3.0
No party Write-Ins 3 0.0 0.0
Majority 12,701 94.0 −6.0
Turnout 13,512
Democratic hold

4th Congressional District

Incumbent Democratic Congressman Joseph R. Bryson of the 4th congressional district, in office since 1939, defeated Republican challenger J.G. Jones.

General election results

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South Carolina's 4th Congressional District Election Results, 1944
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joseph R. Bryson (incumbent) 20,988 95.7 −4.3
Republican J.G. Jones 934 4.3 +4.3
Majority 20,054 91.4 −8.6
Turnout 21,922
Democratic hold

5th Congressional District

Incumbent Democratic Congressman James P. Richards of the 5th congressional district, in office since 1933, defeated Republican challenger W.I. Bost.

General election results

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South Carolina's 5th Congressional District Election Results, 1944
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic James P. Richards (incumbent) 14,435 98.1 −1.9
Republican W.I. Bost 278 1.9 +1.9
Majority 14,157 96.2 −3.8
Turnout 14,713
Democratic hold

6th Congressional District

Incumbent Democratic Congressman John L. McMillan of the 6th congressional district, in office since 1939, defeated Republican challenger C.B. Ruffin.

General election results

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South Carolina's 6th Congressional District Election Results, 1944
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John L. McMillan (incumbent) 14,164 98.0 −2.0
Republican C.B. Ruffin 291 2.0 +2.0
No party Write-Ins 2 0.0 0.0
Majority 13,873 96.0 −4.0
Turnout 14,457
Democratic hold

See also

References

  • Jordan, Frank E. The Primary State: A History of the Democratic Party in South Carolina, 1876-1962. pp. 107, 125.
  • "Supplemental Report of the Secretary of State to the General Assembly of South Carolina." Reports and Resolutions of South Carolina to the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina. Volume I. Columbia, SC: 1945, pp. 11–13, 36.