Who's running in South Carolina's 6th congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Jim Clyburn currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Continuing 'our pursuit towards a more perfect Union' and standing up for the interests of all South Carolinians.
Opposing mid-decade redistricting aimed at eliminating his district.
The value of experience in Washington, balanced with younger leadership.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for South Carolina's 6th District since January 1993.
Former House majority whip (two stints) and assistant Democratic leader.
Won the June 9, 2026 Democratic primary with about 92% over Frederick Goodwin.
Arguments in favor
Experience in Washington matters: 'The Bible says that the young are called because of their strength and the older, because of their knowledge… What would you prefer to have? An older Thurgood Marshall? Or a younger Clarence Thomas?'
— Jim Clyburn, announcing his reelection bid, reported by The Post and Courier
'South Carolina has made tremendous progress, but a lot still needs to be done. If reelected, I promise to fight against the forces of retrogression.'
— Jim Clyburn, primary-night statement reported by the SC Daily Gazette
Arguments against
Too many communities in the district 'have been left behind economically, despite decades of political promises and billions in federal spending'; residents deserve 'leadership focused on measurable results… and real accountability.'
— Campaign of Maurice Washington, Republican primary candidate, to The Post and Courier
What we couldn’t verify
No criticism of Clyburn by Republican nominee John Peterson was found in news coverage.
Clyburn's campaign website could not be located.
Whether the candidates will debate had not been reported.
Supporting the Trump agenda and preventing Democrats from impeaching President Trump.
Requiring voter ID to 'fight for free and fair elections'.
Supporting DOGE and efforts to uncover fraud, waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Banquet supervisor at Embassy Suites, North Charleston Convention Center.
Worked for President Trump's 2020 campaign in North Carolina, according to his campaign site.
Won the June 9, 2026 Republican primary with roughly three-fourths of the vote over Maurice Washington.
Has not held elected office.
Beat former Charleston City Council member and county GOP chairman Maurice Washington with about 74% in the June 9 Republican primary.
His campaign site pledges to 'support the Trump agenda and Prevent the Democrats from impeaching President Trump', require voter ID and support DOGE-style efforts against fraud and waste.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published argument for or against Peterson by a named opponent, party or outlet could be found. Searched: 'John Peterson Republican Clyburn 6th district', 'Maurice Washington John Peterson primary' (his primary opponent), Clyburn campaign statements, and Post and Courier and SC Daily Gazette coverage.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
South Carolina held its primaries on June 9, 2026 and runoffs on June 23; November 3 is the general election, and there is no general-election runoff. The congressional map is unchanged for 2026. After the US Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais weakened Voting Rights Act protections for majority-Black districts, the state House passed a Trump-backed map in May 2026 that would have reshaped this district, voided the congressional primaries and moved them to August; the state Senate declined to advance it on May 26, when a motion to end debate failed with 12 Republicans joining Democrats. Two candidates are certified as active on the State Election Commission's candidate tracking list: Democratic incumbent Jim Clyburn, who beat Frederick Goodwin with about 92%, and Republican John Peterson, who beat former Charleston City Council member Maurice Washington with roughly three-fourths of the vote. An Alliance Party candidate, Joseph Oddo, was reported as running but is not listed as active, and Ballotpedia lists him as not having made the ballot. The district is the state's only majority-Black district and covers parts of Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Florence, Jasper, Orangeburg, Richland and Sumter counties and all of Allendale, Bamberg, Calhoun, Clarendon, Hampton and Williamsburg counties.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A South Carolina ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at South Carolina Election Commission.