1956 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

The 1956 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina were held on November 6, 1956 to select six Representatives for two-year terms from the state of South Carolina. All five incumbents who ran were re-elected and the open seat in the 5th congressional district was retained by the Democrats. The composition of the state delegation thus remained solely Democratic.

1st congressional district

Incumbent Democratic Congressman L. Mendel Rivers of the 1st congressional district, in office since 1941, was unopposed in his bid for re-election.

General election results

South Carolina's 1st congressional district election results, 1956
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic L. Mendel Rivers (incumbent) 31,112 100.0 +2.3
No party Write-Ins 2 0.0 0.0
Majority 31,110 100.0 +4.6
Turnout 31,114
Democratic hold

2nd congressional district

Incumbent Democratic Congressman John J. Riley of the 2nd congressional district, in office since 1951, was unopposed in his bid for re-election.

General election results

South Carolina's 2nd congressional district election results, 1956
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John J. Riley (incumbent) 49,284 100.0 +2.3
No party Write-Ins 3 0.0 0.0
Majority 49,281 100.0 +4.6
Turnout 49,287
Democratic hold

3rd congressional district

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

General election results

South Carolina's 3rd congressional district election results, 1956
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic William J.B. Dorn (incumbent) 39,270 92.9 -6.4
Republican Maka Knox 2,885 6.8 +6.2
No party Write-Ins 127 0.3 +0.2
Majority 36,385 86.1 -12.6
Turnout 42,282
Democratic hold

4th congressional district

Incumbent Democratic Congressman Robert T. Ashmore of the 4th congressional district, in office since 1953, defeated Republican challenger Dan H. Wallace, Jr.

General election results

South Carolina's 4th congressional district election results, 1956
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Robert T. Ashmore (incumbent) 53,722 85.1 -14.1
Republican Dan H. Wallace, Jr. 9,393 14.9 +14.1
Majority 44,329 70.2 -28.2
Turnout 63,115
Democratic hold

5th congressional district

Incumbent Democratic Congressman James P. Richards of the 5th congressional district, in office since 1933, opted to retire. Robert W. Hemphill defeated Thomas S. Gettys in the Democratic primary and was unopposed in the general election.

Democratic primary

Democratic primary
Candidate Votes %
Robert W. Hemphill 28,424 59.0
Thomas S. Gettys 19,760 41.0

General election results

South Carolina's 5th congressional district election results, 1956
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Robert W. Hemphill 36,454 100.0 0.0
Majority 36,454 100.0 0.0
Turnout 36,454
Democratic hold

6th congressional district

Incumbent Democratic Congressman John L. McMillan of the 6th congressional district, in office since 1939, was unopposed in his bid for re-election.

General election results

South Carolina's 6th congressional district election results, 1956
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John L. McMillan (incumbent) 39,749 100.0 +1.1
No party Write-Ins 3 0.0 0.0
Majority 39,746 100.0 +2.2
Turnout 39,752
Democratic hold

See also

References

  • Jordan, Frank E. The Primary State: A History of the Democratic Party in South Carolina, 1876-1962. p. 116.
  • "Supplemental Report of the Secretary of State to the General Assembly of South Carolina." Reports and Resolutions of South Carolina to the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina. Volume I. Columbia, SC: 1957, pp. 10–12.
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