1882 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

The 1882 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina were held on November 7, 1882, to select seven Representatives for two-year terms from the state of South Carolina. Following the 1880 census, the state was granted two additional seats in the House of Representatives. The Democratic controlled state legislature drew the districts to maximize the white vote and limit the black vote. Much of the black population was packed into the 7th congressional district which resulted in the other six congressional districts being evenly split between the races. The Democratic plan achieved its desired effect and the composition of the state delegation after the election was six Democrats and one Republican.

1st congressional district

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The 1st congressional district shifted from the Pee Dee region to the central part of the state and it also included the city of Charleston. Samuel Dibble was nominated by the Democrats and defeated J.B. Campbell, a fusion candidate of the Greenback-Labor and Republican parties.

General election results

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South Carolina's 1st congressional district election results, 1882
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Samuel Dibble 8,674 56.9 −6.4
Greenback-Labor J.B. Campbell 6,565 43.1 +6.4
Majority 2,109 13.8 −12.8
Turnout 15,239
Democratic hold

2nd congressional district

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The 2nd congressional district shifted from Charleston to the lower western counties of the state. George D. Tillman, the former Democratic Representative of the 5th congressional district, defeated E.M. Brayton, a fusion candidate of the Greenback-Labor and Republican parties.

General election results

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South Carolina's 2nd congressional district election results, 1882
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic George D. Tillman 11,388 67.8 +9.0
Greenback-Labor E.M. Brayton 5,361 31.9 -9.3
No party Write-Ins 59 0.3 +0.3
Majority 6,027 35.9 +18.3
Turnout 16,808
Democratic gain from Republican

3rd congressional district

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The 3rd congressional district remained in the northwest part of the state and incumbent Democratic Congressman D. Wyatt Aiken, in office since 1877, defeated T.H. Russell, a fusion candidate of the Greenback-Labor and Republican parties.

General election results

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South Carolina's 3rd congressional district election results, 1882
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic D. Wyatt Aiken (incumbent) 9,245 84.6 +10.5
Greenback-Labor T.H. Russell 1,677 15.4 -10.5
Majority 7,568 69.2 −21.0
Turnout 10,922
Democratic hold

4th congressional district

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The 4th congressional district remained in the Greenville-Spartanburg region of the state and incumbent Democratic Congressman John H. Evins, in office since 1877, defeated D.R. Elkins, a fusion candidate of the Greenback-Labor and Republican parties.

General election results

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South Carolina's 4th congressional district election results, 1882
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John H. Evins (incumbent) 11,662 71.8 +2.1
Greenback-Labor D.R. Elkins 4,588 28.2 -2.1
Majority 7,074 43.4 +3.0
Turnout 23,324
Democratic hold

5th congressional district

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The 5th congressional district shifted from the southwestern part of the state to the northern central part of the state. John J. Hemphill was nominated by the Democrats and defeated E.B.C. Cash, a fusion candidate of the Greenback-Labor and Republican parties.

General election results

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South Carolina's 5th congressional district election results, 1882
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John J. Hemphill 9,518 56.0 −4.4
Greenback-Labor E.B.C. Cash 7,471 44.0 +4.4
Majority 2,047 12.0 −8.8
Turnout 16,989
Democratic gain from Republican

6th congressional district

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The 6th congressional district was created to cover the Pee Dee region of the state. George W. Dargan was nominated by the Democrats and defeated the Greenback-Labor and Republican candidates in the general election.

General election results

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South Carolina's 6th congressional district election results, 1882
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic George W. Dargan 10,814 64.7 N/A
Republican Edmund H. Deas 3,628 21.7 N/A
Greenback-Labor A.H. Bowen 2,263 13.6 N/A
Majority 7,186 43.0 N/A
Turnout 16,705
Democratic gain

7th congressional district

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The 7th congressional district became known as the black district because it was gerrymandered in such a way to include the great bulk of the black population. Republican Edmund William McGregor Mackey defeated Independent Republican challenger Samuel Lee in the general election.

General election results

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South Carolina's 7th congressional district election results, 1882
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Edmund W.M. Mackey 18,469 64.8 N/A
Independent Republican Samuel Lee 10,017 35.2 N/A
Majority 8,452 29.6 N/A
Turnout 28,486
Republican gain

See also

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References

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  • "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. Columbia, SC: Charles A. Calvo Jr., 1883, p. 1760.