# South Carolina's 3rd congressional district

South Carolina's 3rd congressional district is a congressional district in western South Carolina bordering both Georgia and North Carolina. It includes all of Abbeville, Anderson, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Oconee, Pickens, and Saluda counties and portions of Greenville and Newberry counties. The district is mostly rural, but much of the economy revolves around the manufacturing centers of Anderson and Greenwood. Clemson University, the state's second largest by enrollment, is also in the district.
With a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of R+21, it is the most Republican district in South Carolina.

## History

Historically, the district was a Democratic stronghold, and Democrats continued to hold most local offices well into the 1990s. However, most residents share the socially conservative views of their counterparts in the 4th district and the district has elected Republicans since 1994. Republicans now dominate the district's politics at all levels, usually scoring margins rivaling those in the 4th. Indeed, no Democrat has cleared the 40 percent mark in the district in almost a quarter-century.
South Carolina's senior Senator, Lindsey Graham, held this seat from 1995 to 2003. He was succeeded by J. Gresham Barrett, who gave up the seat in order to run for governor. State Rep. Jeff Duncan won the seat in 2010.
From 2003 to 2013, the district included all of Abbeville, Anderson, Edgefield, Greenwood, McCormick, Oconee, Pickens and Saluda counties and most of Aiken and Laurens counties.

## Composition

For the 118th and successive Congresses (based on redistricting following the 2020 census), the district contains all or portions of the following counties and communities:
Abbeville County (9)
    All 9 communities
Anderson County (19)
    All 19 communities
Edgefield County (5)
    All 5 communities
Greenville County (4)
    Fountain Inn (shared with Laurens County), Golden Grove (part; also 4th), Piedmont (shared with Anderson County), Ware Place
Greenwood County (9)
    All 9 communities
Laurens County (11)
    All 11 communities
McCormick County (7)
    All 7 communities
Newberry County (8)
    All 8 communities
Oconee County (13)
    All 13 communities
Pickens County (11)
    All 11 communities
Saluda County (5)
    All 5 communities

## Recent election results from statewide races

| Year | Office | Results |
| 2008 | President | McCain 63% - 35% |
| 2012 | President | Romney 66% - 34% |
| 2016 | President | Trump 67% - 29% |
| 2016 | Senate | Scott 71% - 27% |
| 2018 | Governor | McMaster 66% - 33% |
| 2018 | Secretary of State | Hammond 69% - 30% |
| 2018 | Treasurer | Loftis 68% - 29% |
| 2018 | Attorney General | Wilson 68% - 30% |
| 2020 | President | Trump 68% - 31% |
| 2020 | Senate | Graham 67% - 31% |
| 2022 | Senate | Scott 75% - 25% |
| 2022 | Governor | McMaster 71% - 28% |
| 2022 | Secretary of State | Hammond 75% - 25% |
| 2024 | President | Trump 71% - 28% |

## List of members representing the district

| Member (Residence) | Party | Years | Cong ress | Electoral history | District location |
| District established March 4, 1789 ||||||
| Daniel Huger (Charleston) | Pro-Administration | March 4, 1789 – March 3, 1793 | 1st 2nd | Elected in 1788. Re-elected in 1790. Retired. | 1789–1793 "Georgetown-Cheraw district" 1st district: Charleston 2nd district: Beaufort-Orangeburg 3rd district: Georgetown-Cheraw 4th district: Camden 5th district: Ninety-Six |
| Lemuel Benton (Stoney Hill Farm) | Anti-Administration | March 4, 1793 – March 3, 1795 | 3rd 4th 5th | Elected in 1793. Re-elected in 1794. Re-elected in 1796. Lost re-election. | 1793–1795 "Georgetown-Cheraw district" |
| Lemuel Benton (Stoney Hill Farm) | Democratic-Republican | March 4, 1795 – March 3, 1799 | 3rd 4th 5th | Elected in 1793. Re-elected in 1794. Re-elected in 1796. Lost re-election. | 1793–1795 "Georgetown-Cheraw district" |
| Lemuel Benton (Stoney Hill Farm) | Democratic-Republican | March 4, 1795 – March 3, 1799 | 3rd 4th 5th | Elected in 1793. Re-elected in 1794. Re-elected in 1796. Lost re-election. | 1795–1799 "Georgetown district" 1796 election results by district |
| Benjamin Huger (Georgetown) | Federalist | March 4, 1799 – March 3, 1805 | 6th 7th 8th | Elected in 1798. Re-elected in 1800. Re-elected in 1803. Retired. | 1799–1833 "Georgetown district" |
| David R. Williams (Society Hill) | Democratic-Republican | March 4, 1805 – March 3, 1809 | 9th 10th | Elected in 1804. Re-elected in 1806. Retired. | 1799–1833 "Georgetown district" |
| Robert Witherspoon (Mayesville) | Democratic-Republican | March 4, 1809 – March 3, 1811 | 11th | Elected in 1808. Retired. | 1799–1833 "Georgetown district" |
| David R. Williams (Society Hill) | Democratic-Republican | March 4, 1811 – March 3, 1813 | 12th | Elected in 1810. Retired. | 1799–1833 "Georgetown district" |
| Theodore Gourdin (Pineville) | Democratic-Republican | March 4, 1813 – March 3, 1815 | 13th | Elected in 1812. Lost re-election. | 1799–1833 "Georgetown district" |
| Benjamin Huger (Georgetown) | Federalist | March 4, 1815 – March 3, 1817 | 14th | Elected in 1814. Lost re-election. | 1799–1833 "Georgetown district" |
| James Ervin (Darlington) | Democratic-Republican | March 4, 1817 – March 3, 1821 | 15th 16th | Elected in 1816. Re-elected in 1818. Retired. | 1799–1833 "Georgetown district" |
| Thomas R. Mitchell (Georgetown) | Democratic-Republican | March 4, 1821 – March 3, 1823 | 17th | Elected in 1820. Lost re-election. | 1799–1833 "Georgetown district" |
| Robert B. Campbell (Brownsville) | Democratic-Republican | March 4, 1823 – March 3, 1825 | 18th | Elected in 1823. Retired. | 1799–1833 "Georgetown district" |
| Thomas R. Mitchell (Georgetown) | Jacksonian | March 4, 1825 – March 3, 1829 | 19th 20th | Elected in 1824. Re-elected in 1826. Lost re-election. | 1799–1833 "Georgetown district" |
| John Campbell (Brownsville) | Jacksonian | March 4, 1829 – March 3, 1831 | 21st | Elected in 1828. Lost re-election. | 1799–1833 "Georgetown district" |
| Thomas R. Mitchell (Georgetown) | Jacksonian | March 4, 1831 – March 3, 1833 | 22nd | Elected in 1830. Lost re-election. | 1799–1833 "Georgetown district" |
| Thomas Singleton (Kingstree) | Nullifier | March 4, 1833 – November 25, 1833 | 23rd | Elected in 1833. Died. | 1833–1843 [data missing] |
| Vacant | Vacant | November 25, 1833 – February 27, 1834 | 23rd | | 1833–1843 [data missing] |
| Robert B. Campbell (Brownsville) | Nullifier | February 27, 1834 – March 3, 1837 | 23rd 24th | Elected to finish Singleton's term. Re-elected in 1834. Retired. | 1833–1843 [data missing] |
| John Campbell (Parnassus) | Nullifier | March 4, 1837 – March 3, 1839 | 25th 26th 27th | Elected in 1836. Re-elected in 1838. Re-elected in 1840. Redistricted to the 4th district. | 1833–1843 [data missing] |
| John Campbell (Parnassus) | Democratic | March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1843 | 25th 26th 27th | Elected in 1836. Re-elected in 1838. Re-elected in 1840. Redistricted to the 4th district. | 1833–1843 [data missing] |
| Joseph A. Woodward (Winnsboro) | Democratic | March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1853 | 28th 29th 30th 31st 32nd | Elected in 1843. Re-elected in 1844. Re-elected in 1846. Re-elected in 1848. Re-elected in 1850. Retired. | 1843–1853 [data missing] |
| Laurence M. Keitt (Orangeburg) | Democratic | March 4, 1853 – July 15, 1856 | 33rd 34th | Elected in 1853. Re-elected in 1854. Resigned to gain constituents' support following the caning of Charles Sumner. | 1853–1860 [data missing] |
| Vacant | Vacant | July 15, 1856 – August 6, 1856 | 34th | | 1853–1860 [data missing] |
| Laurence M. Keitt (Orangeburg) | Democratic | August 6, 1856 – December 1860 | 34th 35th 36th | Re-elected to finish his own term. Re-elected in 1856. Re-elected in 1858. Retired early due to Civil War. | 1853–1860 [data missing] |
| District inactive | District inactive | December 1860 – July 25, 1868 | 36th 37th 38th 39th 40th | Civil War and Reconstruction | Civil War and Reconstruction |
| Manuel S. Corley (Lexington) | Republican | July 25, 1868 – March 3, 1869 | 40th | Elected to finish the short term. Retired. | 1868–1873 [data missing] |
| Solomon L. Hoge (Columbia) | Republican | April 8, 1869 – March 3, 1871 | 41st | Elected in 1868 (Successfully contested election of J.P. Reed). Retired. | 1868–1873 [data missing] |
| Robert B. Elliott (Columbia) | Republican | March 4, 1871 – November 1, 1874 | 42nd 43rd | Elected in 1870. Re-elected in 1872. Resigned to become sheriff. | 1868–1873 [data missing] |
| Robert B. Elliott (Columbia) | Republican | March 4, 1871 – November 1, 1874 | 42nd 43rd | Elected in 1870. Re-elected in 1872. Resigned to become sheriff. | 1873–1883 [data missing] |
| Vacant | Vacant | November 1, 1874 – November 3, 1874 | 43rd | | 1873–1883 [data missing] |
| Lewis C. Carpenter (Columbia) | Republican | November 3, 1874 – March 3, 1875 | 43rd | Elected to finish Elliott's term. Retired. | 1873–1883 [data missing] |
| Solomon L. Hoge (Columbia) | Republican | March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1877 | 44th | Elected in 1874. Retired. | 1873–1883 [data missing] |
| D. Wyatt Aiken (Cokesbury) | Democratic | March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1887 | 45th 46th 47th 48th 49th | Elected in 1876. Re-elected in 1878. Re-elected in 1880. Re-elected in 1882. Re-elected in 1884. Retired. | 1873–1883 [data missing] |
| D. Wyatt Aiken (Cokesbury) | Democratic | March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1887 | 45th 46th 47th 48th 49th | Elected in 1876. Re-elected in 1878. Re-elected in 1880. Re-elected in 1882. Re-elected in 1884. Retired. | 1883–1893 [data missing] |
| James S. Cothran (Abbeville) | Democratic | March 4, 1887 – March 3, 1891 | 50th 51st | Elected in 1886. Re-elected in 1888. Retired. | 1883–1893 [data missing] |
| George Johnstone (Newberry) | Democratic | March 4, 1891 – March 3, 1893 | 52nd | Elected in 1890. Lost renomination. | 1883–1893 [data missing] |
| Asbury C. Latimer (Belton) | Democratic | March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1903 | 53rd 54th 55th 56th 57th | Elected in 1892. Re-elected in 1894. Re-elected in 1896. Re-elected in 1898. Re-elected in 1900. Retired. | 1893–1903 [data missing] |
| Wyatt Aiken (Abbeville) | Democratic | March 4, 1903 – March 3, 1917 | 58th 59th 60th 61st 62nd 63rd 64th | Elected in 1902. Re-elected in 1904. Re-elected in 1906. Re-elected in 1908. Re-elected in 1910. Re-elected in 1912. Re-elected in 1914. Lost renomination. | 1903–1913 [data missing] |
| Wyatt Aiken (Abbeville) | Democratic | March 4, 1903 – March 3, 1917 | 58th 59th 60th 61st 62nd 63rd 64th | Elected in 1902. Re-elected in 1904. Re-elected in 1906. Re-elected in 1908. Re-elected in 1910. Re-elected in 1912. Re-elected in 1914. Lost renomination. | 1913–1933 Abbeville, Anderson, Greenwood, Newberry, Oconee, and Pickens counties. |
| Frederick H. Dominick (Newberry) | Democratic | March 4, 1917 – March 3, 1933 | 65th 66th 67th 68th 69th 70th 71st 72nd | Elected in 1916. Re-elected in 1918. Re-elected in 1920. Re-elected in 1922. Re-elected in 1924. Re-elected in 1926. Re-elected in 1928. Re-elected in 1930. Lost renomination. | 1913–1933 Abbeville, Anderson, Greenwood, Newberry, Oconee, and Pickens counties. |
| John C. Taylor (Anderson) | Democratic | March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1939 | 73rd 74th 75th | Elected in 1932. Re-elected in 1934. Re-elected in 1936. Lost renomination. | 1933–1943 [data missing] |
| Butler B. Hare (Saluda) | Democratic | January 3, 1939 – January 3, 1947 | 76th 77th 78th 79th | Elected in 1938. Re-elected in 1940. Re-elected in 1942. Re-elected in 1944. Retired. | 1933–1943 [data missing] |
| 1943–1953 [data missing] | | | 76th 77th 78th 79th | Elected in 1938. Re-elected in 1940. Re-elected in 1942. Re-elected in 1944. Retired. |
| 1943–1953 [data missing] | W.J. Bryan Dorn (Greenwood) | Democratic | January 3, 1947 – January 3, 1949 | 80th | Elected in 1946. Retired to run for U.S. senator. |
| 1943–1953 [data missing] | James Butler Hare (Saluda) | Democratic | January 3, 1949 – January 3, 1951 | 81st | Elected in 1948. Lost renomination. |
| 1943–1953 [data missing] | W.J. Bryan Dorn (Greenwood) | Democratic | January 3, 1951 – December 31, 1974 | 82nd 83rd 84th 85th 86th 87th 88th 89th 90th 91st 92nd 93rd | Elected in 1950. Re-elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Re-elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Retired to run for governor and resigned following defeat. |
| 1953–1963 [data missing] | | | | 82nd 83rd 84th 85th 86th 87th 88th 89th 90th 91st 92nd 93rd | Elected in 1950. Re-elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Re-elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Retired to run for governor and resigned following defeat. |
| 1963–1973 [data missing] | | | | 82nd 83rd 84th 85th 86th 87th 88th 89th 90th 91st 92nd 93rd | Elected in 1950. Re-elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Re-elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Retired to run for governor and resigned following defeat. |
| 1973–1983 [data missing] | | | | 82nd 83rd 84th 85th 86th 87th 88th 89th 90th 91st 92nd 93rd | Elected in 1950. Re-elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Re-elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Retired to run for governor and resigned following defeat. |
| 1973–1983 [data missing] | Vacant | Vacant | December 31, 1974 – January 3, 1975 | 93rd | |
| 1973–1983 [data missing] | Butler Derrick (Edgefield) | Democratic | January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1995 | 94th 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd | Elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Retired. |
| 1983–1993 [data missing] | | | | 94th 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd | Elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Retired. |
| 1993–2003 [data missing] | | | | 94th 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd | Elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Retired. |
| 1993–2003 [data missing] | Lindsey Graham (Seneca) | Republican | January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2003 | 104th 105th 106th 107th | Elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Retired to run for U.S. senator. |
| Gresham Barrett (Westminster) | Republican | January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2011 | 108th 109th 110th 111th | Elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Retired to run for governor. | 2003–2013 All of Abbeville, Anderson, Edgefield, Greenwood, McCormick, Oconee, Pickens and Saluda counties and most of Aiken and Laurens counties. |
| Jeff Duncan (Laurens) | Republican | January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2025 | 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th 118th | Elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Retired. | 2003–2013 All of Abbeville, Anderson, Edgefield, Greenwood, McCormick, Oconee, Pickens and Saluda counties and most of Aiken and Laurens counties. |
| Jeff Duncan (Laurens) | Republican | January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2025 | 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th 118th | Elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Retired. | 2013–2023 |
| Jeff Duncan (Laurens) | Republican | January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2025 | 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th 118th | Elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Retired. | 2023–2033 |
| Sheri Biggs (Salem) | Republican | January 3, 2025 – present | 119th | Elected in 2024. | 2023–2033 |

## Past election results
### 2012

2012 South Carolina's 3rd congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jeff Duncan (incumbent) | 169,512 | 66.5 |
| | Democratic | Bryan Ryan B. Doyle | 84,735 | 33.3 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 516 | 0.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 254,763 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2014

2014 South Carolina's 3rd congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jeff Duncan (incumbent) | 116,741 | 71.2 |
| | Democratic | Barbara Jo Mullis | 47,181 | 28.8 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 87 | 0.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 164,009 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2016

2016 South Carolina's 3rd congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jeff Duncan (incumbent) | 196,325 | 72.8 |
| | Democratic | Hosea Cleveland | 72,933 | 27.1 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 282 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 269,540 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2018

2018 South Carolina's 3rd congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jeff Duncan (incumbent) | 153,338 | 67.8 |
| | Democratic | Mary Geren | 70,046 | 31.0 |
| | American | Dave Moore | 2,697 | 1.2 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 123 | 0.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 226,204 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2020

2020 South Carolina's 3rd congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jeff Duncan (incumbent) | 237,544 | 71.2 |
| | Democratic | Hosea Cleveland | 95,712 | 28.7 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 308 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 333,564 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2022

2022 South Carolina's 3rd congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jeff Duncan (incumbent) | 189,971 | 97.64 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 4,598 | 2.36 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 194,569 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |