National Election Returns : State-by-State Election Reports of Key Races and Issues : South Carolina
Republican George Bush captured South Carolina’s eight electoral votes, bolstered by Gov. Carroll Campbell being his Southern campaign chairman.
Two spirited congressional races topped the ballot. In the 2nd District, Republican Rep. Floyd Spence, seeking his 10th term, came back from near-death and a double-lung transplant in May to oppose Columbia banker and attorney Jim Leventis. Fourth District Rep. Liz Patterson, a first-term Democrat, faced a tough challenge from Republican Knox White, a Greenville attorney and city councilman.
With 31% of precincts reporting, Bush had 157,320 votes, or 58%, and Democrat Michael S. Dukakis had 112,698 votes, or 42%.
In addition to Campbell being Bush’s Southern campaign chairman, Lee Atwater, his national campaign manager, is a native of Aiken.
Democrats currently hold four of the state’s six congressional seats.
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