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The 1888 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina were held on November 6, 1888, to select seven Representatives for two-year terms from the state of South Carolina. All seven incumbents were initially reported as re-elected and the composition of the state delegation remained solely Democratic, however Thomas E. Miller successfully contested the result in the 7th congressional district, claiming voter suppression of black Republican votes.

1st congressional district

Incumbent Democratic Congressman Samuel Dibble of the 1st congressional district, in office since 1883, defeated Republican challenger S.W. McKinlay.

General election results

South Carolina's 1st congressional district election results, 1888
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Samuel Dibble (incumbent) 8,540 86.7 -13.2
Republican S.W. McKinlay 1,296 13.1 +13.1
No party Write-Ins 19 0.2 +0.1
Majority 7,244 73.6 -26.2
Turnout 9,855
Democratic hold

2nd congressional district

Incumbent Democratic Congressman George D. Tillman of the 2nd congressional district, in office since 1883, defeated Republican challenger Seymour E. Smith.

General election results

South Carolina's 2nd congressional district election results, 1888
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic George D. Tillman (incumbent) 10,704 86.8 -12.8
Republican Seymour E. Smith 1,405 11.4 +11.4
No party Write-Ins 228 1.8 +1.4
Majority 9,299 75.4 -23.8
Turnout 12,337
Democratic hold

3rd congressional district

Incumbent Democratic Congressman James S. Cothran of the 3rd congressional district, in office since 1887, was unopposed in his bid for re-election.

General election results

South Carolina's 3rd congressional district election results, 1888
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic James S. Cothran (incumbent) 8,758 99.8 0.0
No party Write-Ins 16 0.2 0.0
Majority 8,742 99.6 0.0
Turnout 8,774
Democratic hold

4th congressional district

Incumbent Democratic Congressman William H. Perry of the 4th congressional district, in office since 1885, defeated D.R. Duncan in the Democratic primary was unopposed in the general election.

General election results

South Carolina's 4th congressional district election results, 1888
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic William H. Perry (incumbent) 11,410 99.9 -0.1
No party Write-Ins 6 0.1 +0.1
Majority 11,404 99.8 -0.2
Turnout 11,416
Democratic hold

5th congressional district

Incumbent Democratic Congressman John J. Hemphill of the 5th congressional district, in office since 1883, was unopposed in his bid for re-election.

General election results

South Carolina's 5th congressional district election results, 1888
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John J. Hemphill (incumbent) 9,559 99.7 -0.2
No party Write-Ins 27 0.3 +0.2
Majority 9,532 99.4 -0.5
Turnout 9,586
Democratic hold

6th congressional district

Incumbent Democratic Congressman George W. Dargan of the 6th congressional district, in office since 1883, was unopposed in his bid for re-election.

General election results

South Carolina's 6th congressional district election results, 1888
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic George W. Dargan (incumbent) 8,586 95.7 -3.0
No party Write-Ins 386 4.3 +3.0
Majority 8,200 91.4 -6.0
Turnout 8,972
Democratic hold

7th congressional district

Incumbent Democratic Congressman William Elliott of the 7th congressional district, in office since 1887, defeated Republican challenger Thomas E. Miller. However, Miller successfully contested the election in the Republican controlled House of Representatives and replaced Elliott in September 1890.

General election results

South Carolina's 7th congressional district election results, 1888
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic William Elliott (incumbent) 8,358 54.1 +2.1
Republican Thomas E. Miller 7,003 45.4 -2.4
No party Write-Ins 74 0.5 +0.3
Majority 1,355 8.7 +4.5
Turnout 15,435
Democratic hold

See also

References

  • Jordan, Frank E. The Primary State: A History of the Democratic Party in South Carolina, 1876-1962. p. 108.
  • "Supplemental 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. Volume I. Columbia, SC: James H. Woodrow, 1889, pp. 561–564.