# 1972 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

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The 1972 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina were held on November 7, 1972, to select six Representatives for two-year terms from the state of South Carolina. The primary elections were held on August 29 and the runoff elections were held two weeks later on September 12. Five incumbents were re-elected and the only change was in the 6th district where Republican Edward Lunn Young succeeded Democrat John L. McMillan, who was defeated in the Democratic primary. The composition of the state delegation after the elections was four Democrats and two Republicans.

## 1st congressional district

Incumbent Democratic Congressman Mendel Jackson Davis of the 1st congressional district, in office since 1971, won the Democratic primary and defeated Republican Sidi Limehouse in the general election.

### Democratic primary

Democratic primary :
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Mendel Jackson Davis | 37,493 | 72.3 |
| Benjamin Frasier | 11,247 | 21.7 |
| Milton L. Dukes | 3,093 | 6.0 |

### General election results

South Carolina's 1st congressional district election results, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Mendel J. Davis (incumbent) | 61,376 | 54.3 | +6.0 |
| | Republican | Sidi Limehouse | 51,728 | 45.7 | +4.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9,648 | 8.6 | +1.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 113,104 | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## 2nd congressional district

Incumbent Republican Congressman Floyd Spence of the 2nd congressional district, in office since 1971, was unopposed in his bid for re-election.

### General election results

South Carolina's 2nd congressional district election results, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Floyd Spence (incumbent) | 79,667 | 100.0 | +46.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 79,667 | 100.0 | +93.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 79,667 | | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## 3rd congressional district

Incumbent Democratic Congressman William Jennings Bryan Dorn of the 3rd congressional district, in office since 1951, defeated Republican challenger Ray Ethridge.

### General election results

South Carolina's 3rd congressional district election results, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | William J.B. Dorn (incumbent) | 82,579 | 75.2 | 0.0 |
| | Republican | Ray Ethridge | 27,173 | 24.8 | 0.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 55,406 | 50.4 | 0.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 109,752 | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## 4th congressional district

Incumbent Democratic Congressman James R. Mann of the 4th congressional district, in office since 1969, defeated Republican challenger Wayne N. Whatley.

### General election results

South Carolina's 4th congressional district election results, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | James R. Mann (incumbent) | 64,989 | 66.1 | −33.9 |
| | Republican | Wayne N. Whatley | 33,363 | 33.9 | +33.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 31,626 | 32.2 | −67.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 98,352 | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## 5th congressional district

Incumbent Democratic Congressman Thomas S. Gettys of the 5th congressional district, in office since 1964, defeated Republican challenger B. Leonard Phillips.

### General election results

South Carolina's 5th congressional district election results, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Thomas S. Gettys (incumbent) | 66,343 | 60.9 | −5.0 |
| | Republican | B. Leonard Phillips | 42,620 | 39.1 | +6.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 23,723 | 21.8 | −11.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 108,963 | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## 6th congressional district

Incumbent Democratic Congressman John L. McMillan of the 6th congressional district, in office since 1939, was defeated in the Democratic primary. Republican Edward Lunn Young defeated Democrat John Jenrette in the general election.

### Democratic primary

Democratic primary :
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| John L. McMillan | 38,542 | 43.9 |
| John Jenrette | 25,730 | 29.3 |
| Bill R. Craig | 23,476 | 26.8 |
Democratic primary runoff :
| Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| John Jenrette | 36,057 | 50.6 | +21.3 |
| John L. McMillan | 35,212 | 49.4 | +5.5 |

### General election results

South Carolina's 6th congressional district election results, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Edward Lunn Young | 60,766 | 53.4 | +18.5 |
| | Democratic | John Jenrette | 53,085 | 46.6 | −17.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,681 | 6.8 | −22.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 113,851 | | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |