United States Senate election in South Carolina, 1990

Elections in South Carolina

The 1990 South Carolina United States Senate election was held on November 6, 1990 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 Bob Cunningham.

Contents

Primaries

Senator Strom Thurmond faced no opposition from South Carolina Republicans and avoided a primary election. The state Democrats saw this as an unwinnable race so when Bob Cunningham sought the Democratic nonimation, he was unopposed in his bid.

General election campaign

Cunningham, a retired intelligence officer, had little chance of defeating Strom Thurmond and the election was never a serious contest. Thurmond overwhelmingly outspent Cunningham in his re-election campaign.

Election results

South Carolina U.S. Senate Election, 1990
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Strom Thurmond 482,032 64.2 -2.6
Democratic Bob Cunningham 244,112 32.5 +0.7
Libertarian William H. Griffin 13,804 1.8 +0.4
American Marion C. Metts 10,317 1.4 +1.4
No party Write-Ins 464 0.1 +0.1
Majority 237,920 31.7 -3.3
Turnout 750,729 55.2 -13.5
  Republican hold

See also

References

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