United States Senate election in South Carolina, 2004
Encyclopedia
The 2004 United States Senate election in South Carolina was held on November 2, 2004. Incumbent Democratic
U.S. Senator Fritz Hollings
decided to retire. Jim DeMint
, a Republican Representative
won the open seat.
did not have a primary election because the South Carolina Republicans
were more preoccupied with the gubernatorial contest
, despite having the first open senate seat in 40 years. The retirement of Democratic Senator Fritz Hollings
gave the Republicans an opportunity to pick up the seat and with no other interesting positions up for election in 2004, a crowded field developed in the Republican primary. Furthermore, the Republicans were motivated by having President Bush
at the top of the ticket enabling them to ride his coattails to victory.
Former Governor
David Beasley
, from the Pee Dee
, entered the race and quickly emerged as the frontrunner because of his support from the evangelical voters. However, during his term as Governor from 1994 to 1998 he had greatly angered the electorate by proposing to remove the Confederate Naval Jack
from the dome of the statehouse and by being against the adoption of a state lottery
to provide for college scholarships. Both positions led to the loss of his re-election in 1998
and the issues continued to trouble him in the Senate race.
The battle for second place in the primary was between Upstate
congressman, Jim DeMint
, and Charleston
developer Thomas Ravenel
. DeMint was able to squeak out a second place finish because Charlie Condon
, a former Attorney General of South Carolina, split the Lowcountry
vote with Ravenel thus providing DeMint the margin he needed. In addition, while many voters were attracted to the Ravenel campaign and felt that he had a future in politics, they believed that he should set his sights on a less high profile office first before trying to become Senator. Resigned to defeat, Ravenel endorsed DeMint in the runoff election.
In the runoff election
on June 22, 2004, DeMint scored a surprising victory over Beasley. Ravenel's endorsement of DeMint proved crucial as the Lowcountry counties heavily went for the Representative from the Upstate. Also, Beasley had burnt too many bridges while governor and was unable to increase his share of the vote in the runoff.
proposal because it would increase the sales tax by 23%. The election victory by DeMint merely cemented South Carolina's shift to the Republican column as the best candidate the Democrats could offer was soundly defeated by the typical 10 point margin.
| colspan=5 |Republican
gain from Democratic
|-
|colspan=6|*Nwangaza ran under the Independence Party in Aiken
and Calhoun
counties; her totals are combined.
|-
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
U.S. Senator Fritz Hollings
Ernest Hollings
Ernest Frederick "Fritz" Hollings served as a Democratic United States Senator from South Carolina from 1966 to 2005, as well as the 106th Governor of South Carolina and Lt. Governor . He served 38 years and 55 days in the Senate, which makes him the 8th-longest-serving Senator in history...
decided to retire. Jim DeMint
Jim DeMint
James Warren "Jim" DeMint is the junior U.S. Senator from South Carolina, serving since 2005. He is a member of the Republican Party and a leader in the Tea Party movement. He previously served as the U.S. Representative for from 1999 to 2005.-Early life and education:DeMint was born in...
, a Republican Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
won the open seat.
Candidates
- Ben Frasier, former congressional aide
- Inez TenenbaumInez TenenbaumInez Moore Tenenbaum is an American politician from the state of South Carolina. She is currently serving as head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.-Education:...
, South Carolina Superintendent of Education
Results
Candidates
- David BeasleyDavid BeasleyDavid Muldrow Beasley is a Republican who served one term as the 113th Governor of South Carolina from 1995 until 1999....
, former Governor - Charlie CondonCharlie CondonCharlie Condon is a former Attorney General of South Carolina, and served as the first Chairman of the Republican Attorneys General Association. He also served as Chairman of John McCain's presidential campaign in South Carolina. He currently is an in private practice in Mt. Pleasant , South...
, State Attorney General - Orly Benny Davis, businesswoman
- Jim DeMintJim DeMintJames Warren "Jim" DeMint is the junior U.S. Senator from South Carolina, serving since 2005. He is a member of the Republican Party and a leader in the Tea Party movement. He previously served as the U.S. Representative for from 1999 to 2005.-Early life and education:DeMint was born in...
, U.S. Congressman - Mark McBride, Mayor of Myrtle BeachMyrtle Beach, South CarolinaMyrtle Beach is a coastal city on the east coast of the United States in Horry County, South Carolina. It is situated on the center of a large and continuous stretch of beach known as the Grand Strand in northeastern South Carolina. It is considered to be a major tourist destination in the...
- Thomas RavenelThomas RavenelThomas Ravenel is a South Carolina politician and former State Treasurer. He is the son of former South Carolina Congressman Arthur Ravenel, Jr..-Background:...
, businessman
Campaign
The Senate election two years earlier in 2002United States Senate election in South Carolina, 2002
The 2002 United States Senate election in South Carolina was held on November 5, 2002. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond decided to retire at the age of 100...
did not have a primary election because the South Carolina Republicans
South Carolina Republican Party
The South Carolina Republican Party and the South Carolina Democratic Party are the two major political parties within the U.S. state of South Carolina...
were more preoccupied with the gubernatorial contest
South Carolina gubernatorial election, 2002
The 2002 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 2002 to select the governor of the state of South Carolina. Mark Sanford, the Republican nominee, beat incumbent Democratic Governor Jim Hodges to become the 115th governor of South Carolina...
, despite having the first open senate seat in 40 years. The retirement of Democratic Senator Fritz Hollings
Ernest Hollings
Ernest Frederick "Fritz" Hollings served as a Democratic United States Senator from South Carolina from 1966 to 2005, as well as the 106th Governor of South Carolina and Lt. Governor . He served 38 years and 55 days in the Senate, which makes him the 8th-longest-serving Senator in history...
gave the Republicans an opportunity to pick up the seat and with no other interesting positions up for election in 2004, a crowded field developed in the Republican primary. Furthermore, the Republicans were motivated by having President Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
at the top of the ticket enabling them to ride his coattails to victory.
Former Governor
Governor of South Carolina
The Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state for the State of South Carolina. Under the South Carolina Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the South Carolina executive branch. The Governor is the ex officio...
David Beasley
David Beasley
David Muldrow Beasley is a Republican who served one term as the 113th Governor of South Carolina from 1995 until 1999....
, from the Pee Dee
Pee Dee
The Pee Dee region of South Carolina is the northeastern corner of the state. It is the area of the lower watershed of the Pee Dee River, named after the Pee Dee Native American tribe. Its center is Florence...
, entered the race and quickly emerged as the frontrunner because of his support from the evangelical voters. However, during his term as Governor from 1994 to 1998 he had greatly angered the electorate by proposing to remove the Confederate Naval Jack
Flags of the Confederate States of America
There were only three flag designs adopted, with later, minor variants made to those designs, that served as the official national flags of the Confederate States of America and used during its existence from 1861 to 1865...
from the dome of the statehouse and by being against the adoption of a state lottery
South Carolina Education Lottery
The South Carolina Education Lottery began in 2002.South Carolina is a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association , best known for Powerball...
to provide for college scholarships. Both positions led to the loss of his re-election in 1998
South Carolina gubernatorial election, 1998
The 1998 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1998 to select the governor of the state of South Carolina. Jim Hodges, the Democratic nominee, handily defeated Republican Governor David Beasley to become the 114th governor of South Carolina...
and the issues continued to trouble him in the Senate race.
The battle for second place in the primary was between Upstate
The Upstate
The Upstate is the region in northwestern South Carolina, United States, also known as The Upcountry, which is the historical term. Although loosely defined among locals, the general definition includes the 10 counties of the commerce-rich I-85 corridor in the northwest corner of South Carolina. ...
congressman, Jim DeMint
Jim DeMint
James Warren "Jim" DeMint is the junior U.S. Senator from South Carolina, serving since 2005. He is a member of the Republican Party and a leader in the Tea Party movement. He previously served as the U.S. Representative for from 1999 to 2005.-Early life and education:DeMint was born in...
, and Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
developer Thomas Ravenel
Thomas Ravenel
Thomas Ravenel is a South Carolina politician and former State Treasurer. He is the son of former South Carolina Congressman Arthur Ravenel, Jr..-Background:...
. DeMint was able to squeak out a second place finish because Charlie Condon
Charlie Condon
Charlie Condon is a former Attorney General of South Carolina, and served as the first Chairman of the Republican Attorneys General Association. He also served as Chairman of John McCain's presidential campaign in South Carolina. He currently is an in private practice in Mt. Pleasant , South...
, a former Attorney General of South Carolina, split the Lowcountry
South Carolina Low Country
The Lowcountry is a geographic and cultural region located along South Carolina's coast. The region includes the South Carolina Sea Islands...
vote with Ravenel thus providing DeMint the margin he needed. In addition, while many voters were attracted to the Ravenel campaign and felt that he had a future in politics, they believed that he should set his sights on a less high profile office first before trying to become Senator. Resigned to defeat, Ravenel endorsed DeMint in the runoff election.
In the runoff election
Two-round system
The two-round system is a voting system used to elect a single winner where the voter casts a single vote for their chosen candidate...
on June 22, 2004, DeMint scored a surprising victory over Beasley. Ravenel's endorsement of DeMint proved crucial as the Lowcountry counties heavily went for the Representative from the Upstate. Also, Beasley had burnt too many bridges while governor and was unable to increase his share of the vote in the runoff.
Results
| Republican Primary | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican Primary Runoff | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Jim DeMint Jim DeMint James Warren "Jim" DeMint is the junior U.S. Senator from South Carolina, serving since 2005. He is a member of the Republican Party and a leader in the Tea Party movement. He previously served as the U.S. Representative for from 1999 to 2005.-Early life and education:DeMint was born in... |
154,644 | 59.2 | +32.9 |
| David Beasley David Beasley David Muldrow Beasley is a Republican who served one term as the 113th Governor of South Carolina from 1995 until 1999.... |
106,480 | 40.8 | +4.2 |
Major
- Jim DeMintJim DeMintJames Warren "Jim" DeMint is the junior U.S. Senator from South Carolina, serving since 2005. He is a member of the Republican Party and a leader in the Tea Party movement. He previously served as the U.S. Representative for from 1999 to 2005.-Early life and education:DeMint was born in...
(R), U.S. Congressman - Inez TenenbaumInez TenenbaumInez Moore Tenenbaum is an American politician from the state of South Carolina. She is currently serving as head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.-Education:...
(D), South Carolina Superintendent of Education
Minor
- Tee Ferguson (United Citizens)
- Efia Nwangaza (Green)
- Rebekah E. Sutherland (Libertarian)
- Patrick Tyndall (Constitution)
Campaign
DeMint entered the general election campaign severely weakened from the primary fight, having spent most of his campaign funds. He stressed to the voters that he would follow conservative principles and provide an important Republican vote in the closely divided Senate. Democrats fared poorly in statewide elections in South Carolina, so Tenenbaum tried to make the race about issues rather than party identification. She attacked DeMint's support of the FairTaxFairTax
The FairTax is a tax reform proposal for the federal government of the United States that would replace all federal taxes on personal and corporate income with a single broad national consumption tax on retail sales. The Fair Tax Act would apply a tax once at the point of purchase on all new goods...
proposal because it would increase the sales tax by 23%. The election victory by DeMint merely cemented South Carolina's shift to the Republican column as the best candidate the Democrats could offer was soundly defeated by the typical 10 point margin.
Polling
| Source | Date | DeMint (R) | Tenenbaum (D) |
|---|---|---|---|
| McLaughlin | October 28, 2004 http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Presidential_04/sc_polls.html | 48% | 40% |
| SurveyUSA SurveyUSA SurveyUSA is a polling firm in the United States. It conducts market research for corporations and interest groups, but is best known for conducting opinion polls for various political offices and questions... |
October 24, 2004 http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Presidential_04/sc_polls.html | 52% | 39% |
| SurveyUSA SurveyUSA SurveyUSA is a polling firm in the United States. It conducts market research for corporations and interest groups, but is best known for conducting opinion polls for various political offices and questions... |
October 23, 2004 http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Presidential_04/sc_polls.html | 42% | 52% |
| Mason-Dixon Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc. Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc. is an independent polling firm that conducts voter surveys for news media, lobbyists, advocacy groups, trade associations, and political action committees. Mason-Dixon is the nation's most active state polling organization, conducting copyrighted public opinion... |
October 20, 2004 http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Presidential_04/sc_polls.html | 47% | 43% |
| SurveyUSA SurveyUSA SurveyUSA is a polling firm in the United States. It conducts market research for corporations and interest groups, but is best known for conducting opinion polls for various political offices and questions... |
October 12, 2004 http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Presidential_04/sc_polls.html | 46% | 43% |
| Rasmussen Reports Rasmussen Reports Rasmussen Reports is an American media company that publishes and distributes information based on public opinion polling. Founded by pollster Scott Rasmussen in 2003, the company updates daily indexes including the President's job approval rating, and provides public opinion data, analysis, and... |
October 6, 2004 http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Presidential_04/sc_polls.html | 49% | 43% |
| McLaughlin | September 30, 2004 http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Presidential_04/sc_polls.html | 46% | 36% |
| Mason-Dixon Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc. Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc. is an independent polling firm that conducts voter surveys for news media, lobbyists, advocacy groups, trade associations, and political action committees. Mason-Dixon is the nation's most active state polling organization, conducting copyrighted public opinion... |
September 29, 2004 http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Presidential_04/sc_polls.html | 50% | 38% |
| GSG | September 29, 2004 http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Presidential_04/sc_polls.html | 43% | 46% |
| SurveyUSA SurveyUSA SurveyUSA is a polling firm in the United States. It conducts market research for corporations and interest groups, but is best known for conducting opinion polls for various political offices and questions... |
September 21, 2004 http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Presidential_04/sc_polls.html | 51% | 39% |
| Harrison-Hickman | September 9, 2004 http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Presidential_04/sc_polls.html | 44% | 41% |
| SurveyUSA SurveyUSA SurveyUSA is a polling firm in the United States. It conducts market research for corporations and interest groups, but is best known for conducting opinion polls for various political offices and questions... |
August 18, 2004 http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Presidential_04/sc_polls.html | 52% | 39% |
Results
| colspan=5 |Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
gain from Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
|-
|colspan=6|*Nwangaza ran under the Independence Party in Aiken
Aiken County, South Carolina
Aiken County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 142,552; in 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that its population had reached 160,099...
and Calhoun
Calhoun County, South Carolina
Calhoun County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 15,185; a 2005 Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 15,100. It is named for John C. Calhoun, the former U.S. Vice-President, Senator, Representative and cabinet member from South...
counties; her totals are combined.
|-