# 1984 United States Senate election in South Carolina

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The 1984 South Carolina United States Senate election was held on November 6, 1984, to select the U.S. Senator from the state of South Carolina. Popular incumbent Republican Senator Strom Thurmond cruised to re-election against Democratic challenger Melvin Purvis.

## Democratic primary

The South Carolina Democratic Party held their primary on June 12, 1984. Melvin Purvis, a minister and the son of famous FBI agent Melvin Purvis, won a close race against photographer Cecil J. Williams. The closeness of the race and the fact that the black candidate did not win propelled Jesse Jackson to request a Justice Department investigation into the primary and he also considered an independent bid for the seat. Governor Richard Riley and 3rd district Representative Butler Derrick flirted with running, but backed down when Thurmond received endorsements from prominent Democrats in South Carolina.
Democratic Primary :
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Melvin Purvis | 149,730 | 50.2% |
| Cecil J. Williams | 148,586 | 49.8% |

## Republican primary

The South Carolina Republican Party held their primary on June 12, 1984. Senator Strom Thurmond easily defeated Bob Cunningham to advance to the general election.
Republican Primary :
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Strom Thurmond | 44,662 | 94.3% |
| Bob Cunningham | 2,693 | 5.7% |

## General election campaign

Thurmond received endorsements from former Democratic governor Robert Evander McNair, Charleston mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr., and an assortment of black mayors in the state. He did not face a serious challenge and spent almost $1.5 million on the race whereas Purvis spent less than $10,000. An ironic footnote to the election is the fact that Purvis used Thurmond's age as an issue in the campaign. He claimed Thurmond was too old, yet Purvis died less than two years after the election of a heart attack at age 46.

## Election results

South Carolina U.S. Senate Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Strom Thurmond (incumbent) | 644,814 | 66.79% | +11.23% |
| | Democratic | Melvin Purvis | 306,982 | 31.80% | −12.60% |
| | Libertarian | Stephen Davis | 13,323 | 1.38% | N/A |
| | No party | Write-Ins | 335 | 0.03% | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 337,832 | 34.99% | +23.84% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 965,454 | 68.7% | +11.0% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |