What Is 2006 South Carolina state elections

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2006 South Carolina state elections were held on November 7, 2006, as part of the nationwide midterm elections. Key races included the re-election of Governor Mark Sanford, a Republican, and elections for all 124 seats in the state House and 46 seats in the state Senate.

Key Facts

Elections held on November 7, 2006, concurrent with the U.S. midterm elections
Governor Mark Sanford re-elected with 54.2% of the vote
Republicans maintained control of both chambers of the South Carolina General Assembly
All 124 seats in the South Carolina House of Representatives were up for election
46 of the 46 seats in the South Carolina Senate were contested

Overview

The 2006 South Carolina state elections took place on November 7, 2006, coinciding with the U.S. midterm elections. These elections determined control of the state's executive offices and both chambers of the South Carolina General Assembly.

Key statewide races included the governorship, attorney general, secretary of state, and multiple judicial positions. The results reflected a continued Republican dominance in state politics, continuing a trend that began in the early 2000s.

Mark Sanford, the incumbent Republican governor, won re-election with 54.2% of the vote, defeating Democratic challenger Tommy Moore.
All 124 seats in the South Carolina House of Representatives were contested, with Republicans gaining a net of 2 seats to expand their majority.
The South Carolina Senate saw all 46 seats on the ballot, and Republicans maintained their majority by winning 24 of the 46 races.
The election featured low voter turnout, with approximately 38.6% of registered voters participating, typical for a midterm year.
Republican candidates also won key constitutional offices, including Henry McMaster as Attorney General and Mark Hammond as Secretary of State.

How It Works

South Carolina state elections follow a biennial cycle, with all legislative seats up for election every two years and executive offices on staggered four-year terms. The 2006 cycle included both statewide executive races and legislative contests.

Term: State legislators serve two-year terms, meaning all seats in the House and Senate are contested every even-numbered year. This ensures regular accountability to voters.
Election Dates: General elections are held on the first Tuesday after November 1, in line with federal midterms, such as the November 7, 2006 date used statewide.
Primary System: South Carolina uses a closed primary system, where only registered party members can vote in June primaries, followed by runoffs if no candidate wins a majority.
Governor's Term: The governor serves a four-year term with a two-term limit, and Mark Sanford was in his second term after first being elected in 2002.
Legislative Structure: The General Assembly consists of the 124-member House and 46-member Senate, both of which saw full turnover in seats during the 2006 election cycle.
Ballot Access: Candidates must gather signatures or pay fees to appear on the ballot, with major party nominees typically securing automatic placement after primary victories.

Comparison at a Glance

The table below compares key outcomes from the 2006 South Carolina state elections with prior and subsequent cycles to highlight political trends.

Office	2006 Winner	Party	Vote Share	Seats Changed (vs. 2004)
Governor	Mark Sanford	Republican	54.2%	N/A
Attorney General	Henry McMaster	Republican	53.1%	N/A
SC House Seats	Republicans	Republican	69 seats	+2
SC Senate Seats	Republicans	Republican	24 seats	0
Secretary of State	Mark Hammond	Republican	51.8%	N/A

Republicans solidified their control in 2006, gaining ground in the House while holding steady in the Senate. This election reinforced the GOP's dominance in state government, a shift that began after the 2002 elections when Republicans first took control of the legislature.

Why It Matters

The 2006 elections were significant in shaping South Carolina's legislative agenda and policy direction for the next four years. Despite national Democratic gains in the 2006 midterms, South Carolina remained a Republican stronghold.

Republican control allowed for the advancement of conservative policies on taxation, education, and regulation during the 2007–2008 legislative sessions.
Mark Sanford’s re-election gave him leverage to push budget reforms and oppose federal spending, aligning with his national profile as a fiscal conservative.
The stability in Senate composition ensured continuity in leadership, with Glenn McConnell continuing as President Pro Tempore.
Low Democratic turnout in rural areas contributed to the GOP’s sustained dominance in legislative districts across the state.
The results highlighted the growing urban-rural divide, with Columbia and Charleston showing more Democratic support compared to the rest of the state.
These elections set the stage for future Republican successes, including Sanford’s controversial second term and eventual resignation in 2010.

Overall, the 2006 South Carolina state elections reinforced partisan trends and shaped the state's political landscape well into the next decade.