1. Democratic Primary

2. Republican Primary

3. General election campaign

4. Election results

5. See also

6. References

Thurmond: {{legend0|#F2B3BE|40-49%}} {{legend0|#e27f90|50-59%}} {{legend0|#cc2f4a|60-69%}}
{{legend0|#d40000|70-79%}} {{legend0|#aa0000|80-89%}}

Purvis: {{legend0|#b9d7ff|40-49%}}

The 1984 South Carolina United States Senate election was held on November 6, 1984 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 Melvin Purvis.

Democratic Primary

The South Carolina Democratic Party held their primary on June 12, 1984. Melvin Purvis, a white minister and the son of famous FBI agent Melvin Purvis, won a close race against black photographer Cecil J. Williams. The closeness of the race and the fact that the black candidate did not win propelled Jesse Jackson to request a Justice Department investigation into the primary and he also considered an independent bid for the seat. Governor Richard Riley and 3rd district Representative Butler Derrick flirted with running, but backed down when Thurmond received endorsements from prominent Democrats in South Carolina.

Republican Primary

The South Carolina Republican Party held their primary on June 12, 1984. Senator Strom Thurmond easily defeated Robert Cunningham to advance to the general election.

General election campaign

Thurmond received endorsements from former Democratic governor Robert Evander McNair, Charleston mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr., and an assortment of black mayors in the state. He did not face a serious challenge and spent almost $1.5 million on the race whereas Purvis spent less than $10,000. An ironic footnote to the election is the fact that Purvis used Thurmond's age as an issue in the campaign. He claimed Thurmond was too old, yet Purvis died less than two years after the election of a heart attack at age 46.

Election results

 }} {{Election box candidate with party link

See also

• List of United States Senators from South Carolina
• United States Senate elections, 1984

References

• {{cite book | last = State Election Commission | title = Report of the South Carolina State Election Commission 1984-1985 | year = 1985 | publisher = State Election Commission | location = Columbia, SC | pages = 62 }}
• {{cite book | last = Bass | first = Jack |author2=Marilyn W. Thompson | title = Ol' Strom: An Unauthorized Biography of Strom Thurmond | year = 1998 | publisher = Longstreet | pages = 302 }}

• Results of the 2016 São Paulo Carnival
• Results of the 2016 Vitória Carnival
• Results of the 2017 Japanese general election
• Results of the 2017 New Zealand general election
• Results of the 2017 Queensland state election
• Results of the 2017 Rio Carnival
• Results of the 2017 São Paulo Carnival
• Results of the 2017 United Kingdom general election
• Results of the 2018 Iraqi parliamentary election (Assyrian seats)
• Results of the 2018 Malaysian general election by state constituency
• Results of the 2018 Malaysian state election by constituency
• Results of the 2018 Malaysian state elections by constituency
• Results of the 2018 Rio Carnival
• Results of the 2018 Victorian state election (Legislative Assembly)
• Results of the 2018 Victorian state election (Legislative Council)
• Results of the 2019 Indian general election
• Results of the 2019 Rio Carnival
• Results of the 2019 São Paulo Carnival
• Results of the 2066 Canadian federal election by riding
• Results of the Australian Capital Territory general election, 2008
• Results of the Australian Capital Territory general election, 2012
• Results of the Australian Capital Territory general election, 2016
• Results of the Australian federal election, 1901 (Senate)
• Results of the Australian federal election, 1919 (House of Assembly)
• Results of the Australian federal election, 1980 (Senate)