Who’s running for Congress in SC? Primaries set as six incumbents get challenged

South Carolina will hold 10 primaries across its seven Congressional Districts this year, as six incumbents face challenges and three districts have other party candidates running.

Filing for the upcoming elections closed April 1. Primary elections for Democratic and Republican nominations are scheduled for June 11, with any necessary runoffs scheduled for June 25.

There are more than 30 candidates who have filed with 12 Democrats, 19 Republicans and six other party candidates running for congress.

Here’s a look at who’s running:

Mace faces primary challenge in District 1

▪ SC District 1: Congresswoman Nancy Mace has filed to run again. Her primary opponent, former director of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Catherine Templeton, a Mount Pleasant Republican, has also filed to run. The two have already had a heated start to the race, as Mace has urged Templeton to drop out after she received endorsement from former President Trump.

Other Republicans challenging Mace include Bill Young from Charleston.

Democratic candidates include Mac DeFord from Mt. Pleasant, Benjamin Frasier from Wadmalaw Island and Micheal Moore from Mt. Pleasant.

Two primaries set for District 2

▪ SC District 2: Longtime congressman Joe Wilson, a West Columbia Republican, filed to rerun in his district. He will face Hamp Redmond R-Lexington, in the primary.

David Robinson, D-Columbia, and Daniel Shrief, D-West Columbia, will face each other for a spot in the November election.

Eight Republicans try to replace Duncan in District 3

▪ SC District 3: Congressman Jeff Duncan, Republican, announced in January he would not seek reelection after 13 years. Stewart Jones, a Republican South Carolina House member and member of the conservative Freedom caucus, will run for his seat.

Other Republican hopefuls include Kevin Bishop from Easely, Sheri Biggs from Anderson, Michael LaPierre from Travelers Rest, Franky Franco from Simpsonville, Phil Healy from Greenville, Mike Burns from Easley.

Democrats and candidates from other parties include Elspeth Murday, Independent, from Westminister, Byron Best, Democrat from Greenwood, Mike Bedenbaugh, Alliance Party from Prosperity and Frances Guldner from Walhalla.

Conservative Republicans challenge Timmons in District 4

▪ SC District 4: Congressman William Timmons is being challenged for his seat by Republican South Carolina House Rep. and Chair of SC Freedom Caucus, Adam Morgan, R-Greenville. Other candidates running include Kathryn Harvey, D-Spartanburg, Michael Chandler, Constitution-Greenville, Mark Hackett, Constitution-Greenville.

Norman faces Hundley in the fall for District 5

▪ SC District 5: Congressman Ralph Norman has held his position in this district since 2017. No Republicans have emerged yet to challenge him, but Evangeline Hundley, D-Rock Hill has filed.

Clyburn faces no primary challenger in District 6

▪ SC District 6: Congressman James Clyburn is one of the most prominent Democrats in the country, politicos say, and is currently in his 16th term. Clyburn recently stepped down from his position as House Assistant Minority Leader.

There are no Democrats who have filed to run against Clyburn, however, multiple candidates from other parties, including Gregg Dixon, United Citizens Party from Ridgeland, Joseph Oddo, Alliance Party from Goose Creek and Michael Simpson, Libertarian from Summerville.

Republicans Duke Buckner, Walterboro, and Justin Scott, Walterboro, will also square off in June.

Democrats face off for chance at Fry’s seat in District 7

▪ SC District 7: Republican Congressman Russell Fry filed to run for a second term. No Republicans filed in South Carolina by the April 1 deadline to challenge him. Democrats running are Mal Hyman from Hartsville and Daryl Scott from Myrtle Beach.

This story was originally published March 23, 2024 at 5:30 AM.