# 1956 United States Senate election in South Carolina

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The 1956 South Carolina United States Senate election was held on November 6, 1956 to select the U.S. Senator from the state of South Carolina simultaneously with the special Senate election. Incumbent Democratic Senator Olin D. Johnston handily defeated Republican mayor of Clemson Leon P. Crawford.

## Democratic primary

Olin D. Johnston, the incumbent Senator, faced no opposition from South Carolina Democrats and avoided a primary election.

## Republican primary

Leon P. Crawford, the mayor of the town of Clemson in the Upstate, faced no opposition from South Carolina Republicans and avoided a primary election.

## General election campaign

Crawford campaigned as a defender of states' rights and denounced Johnston for backing the New Deal and the Fair Deal. The state Republican Party believed that Crawford could have a chance in the election if he galvanized the 128,000 registered black voters, although they were weary of being labeled as the black party. In the end, Johnston remained highly popular with the voters who were still leery of the Republican party and he easily defeated Crawford in the general election.

## Election results

South Carolina U.S. Senate Election, 1956 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Olin D. Johnston (incumbent) | 230,150 | 82.21% | −17.72% |
| | Republican | Leon P. Crawford | 49,695 | 17.75% | N/A |
| | No party | Write-Ins | 124 | 0.04% | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 180,455 | 64.46% | −35.39% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 279,969 | 36.8 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |