1876 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

The 1876 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina were held on November 7, 1876, to select five Representatives for two-year terms from the state of South Carolina. Two incumbents were re-elected, one was defeated for re-election, and the Democrats picked up one of the two open seats from the Republicans. The composition of the state delegation after the election was three Republicans and two Democrats.

1st congressional district

Incumbent Republican Congressman Joseph Rainey of the 1st congressional district, in office since 1870, defeated Democratic challenger John S. Richardson.

General election results

South Carolina's 1st congressional district election results, 1876

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Joseph Rainey (incumbent)	18,180	52.2	+0.8
	Democratic	John S. Richardson	16,661	47.8	−0.8
	No party	Write-Ins	1	0.0	0.0
Majority			1,519	4.4	+1.6
Turnout			34,842
	Republican hold

2nd congressional district special election

The Congress declared the seat for the 2nd congressional district vacant on July 19, 1876, after Charles W. Buttz successfully contested the 1874 election. A special election was called to be held simultaneously with the regular election. Charles W. Buttz was nominated by the Republicans and he defeated Democrat Michael P. O'Connor in the special election.

General election results

South Carolina's 2nd congressional district special election results, 1876

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Charles W. Buttz	21,378	62.1	+16.2
	Democratic	Michael P. O'Connor	13,030	37.9	+37.9
	No party	Write-Ins	2	0.0	0.0
Majority			8,348	24.2	+16.0
Turnout			34,410
	Republican gain from Independent Republican

2nd congressional district

Richard H. Cain was nominated by the Republicans for the regular election of the 2nd congressional district and he defeated Democratic challenger Michael P. O'Connor.

General election results

South Carolina's 2nd congressional district election results, 1876

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Richard H. Cain	21,385	62.1	0.0
	Democratic	Michael P. O'Connor	13,028	37.9	0.0
	No party	Write-Ins	2	0.0	0.0
Majority			8,357	24.2	0.0
Turnout			34,415
	Republican hold

3rd congressional district

Incumbent Republican Congressman Solomon L. Hoge of the 3rd congressional district, in office since 1875, declined to seek re-election. D. Wyatt Aiken was nominated by the Democrats and he defeated Republican Lewis C. Carpenter.

General election results

South Carolina's 3rd congressional district election results, 1876

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	D. Wyatt Aiken	21,479	58.0	+14.1
	Republican	Lewis C. Carpenter	15,553	42.0	−14.1
Majority			5,926	16.0	+3.8
Turnout			37,032
	Democratic gain from Republican

4th congressional district

Incumbent Republican Congressman Alexander S. Wallace of the 4th congressional district, in office since 1870, was defeated by Democratic challenger John H. Evins.

General election results

South Carolina's 4th congressional district election results, 1876

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John H. Evins	21,875	57.6	+10.8
	Republican	Alexander S. Wallace (incumbent)	16,071	42.4	−10.8
Majority			5,804	15.2	+8.8
Turnout			37,946
	Democratic gain from Republican

5th congressional district

Incumbent Republican Congressman Robert Smalls of the 5th congressional district, in office since 1875, defeated Democratic challenger George D. Tillman.

General election results

South Carolina's 5th congressional district election results, 1876

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Robert Smalls (incumbent)	19,954	51.9	−27.5
	Democratic	George D. Tillman	18,516	48.1	+48.1
	No party	Write-Ins	2	0.0	−0.7
Majority			1,438	3.8	−55.7
Turnout			38,472
	Republican hold

See also

• United States House of Representatives elections, 1876
• South Carolina gubernatorial election, 1876
• South Carolina's congressional districts

References

• "Annual 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 at the Regular Session, 1876-77. Columbia, SC: Republican Printing Company, 1877, pp. 217–219.