South Carolina Campaign Finance Overview
South Carolina ranks 39th among all U.S. states and territories in total federal campaign fundraising for the 2024 election cycle. Federal candidates from South Carolina raised a combined $18.2M and spent $17.9M during this period. The state is home to 28 federal candidates who filed with the Federal Election Commission.
Individual donors from South Carolina ZIP codes contributed $90.8M across 439 ZIP codes tracked in FEC filings, making the state a significant source of political contributions nationwide.
Party Breakdown in South Carolina
| Party | Candidates | Total Raised | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 8 | $4.5M | 24.6% |
| Republicans | 18 | $13.6M | 74.7% |
Republican candidates in South Carolina outraised their Democratic counterparts by $9.1M, reflecting the state's fundraising dynamics in the 2024 cycle.
Office Breakdown: Senate vs House
| Office | Candidates | Total Raised |
|---|---|---|
| Senate | 0 | $0 |
| House | 28 | $18.2M |
Top 10 Fundraising Candidates in South Carolina
| Rank | Candidate | Party | Office | Total Raised |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mace, Nancy | REP | House | $3.5M |
| 2 | Timmons, William R IV | REP | House | $2.3M |
| 3 | Clyburn, James E. | DEM | House | $2.2M |
| 4 | Fry, Russell | REP | House | $1.5M |
| 5 | Moore, Michael B | DEM | House | $1.1M |
| 6 | Biggs, Sheri | REP | House | $1.1M |
| 7 | Wilson, Joe The Hon. | REP | House | $881K |
| 8 | Duncan, Jeffrey D Mr. | REP | House | $820K |
| 9 | Burns, Mark | REP | House | $790K |
| 10 | Templeton, Catherine | REP | House | $744K |
Top Donor ZIP Codes in South Carolina
| ZIP Code | City | Total Donated |
|---|---|---|
| 29401 | Charleston | $11.2M |
| 29464 | MT Pleasant | $4.0M |
| 29455 | Johns Island | $3.1M |
| 29492 | Daniel Island | $2.8M |
| 29605 | Greenville | $1.9M |
| 29928 | Hilton Head Island | $1.8M |
| 29451 | Isle OF Palms | $1.8M |
| 29412 | Charleston | $1.8M |
| 29501 | Florence | $1.7M |
| 29615 | Greenville | $1.5M |
The wealthiest donor ZIP code in South Carolina is 29401 in Charleston, where individual donors contributed $11.2M to federal campaigns.
Fundraising vs Spending
Across all federal candidates in South Carolina, total spending reached $17.9M against $18.2M raised, representing a 99% burn rate. Candidates in this state retained a portion of their fundraising for future use or reserves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money was raised by federal candidates in South Carolina in 2024?
Federal candidates from South Carolina raised a combined $18.2M during the 2024 election cycle, ranking the state 39th out of all U.S. states and territories. This includes 8 Democratic and 18 Republican candidates who filed with the FEC.
Which candidate raised the most money in South Carolina?
The top fundraiser in South Carolina was Mace, Nancy, who raised $3.5M running for House as a REP candidate.
What ZIP code in South Carolina donates the most to political campaigns?
ZIP code 29401 in Charleston, South Carolina is the top-donating ZIP code with $11.2M in individual contributions to federal campaigns.
Do Democrats or Republicans raise more money in South Carolina?
Republicans outraise Democrats in South Carolina, with Republican candidates collecting $13.6M (74.7%) compared to $4.5M (24.6%) for Democrats.
Methodology
All data is sourced from Federal Election Commission filings for the 2024 election cycle. Candidate totals reflect money raised and spent as reported in official FEC filings. Donor ZIP code totals are based on itemized individual contribution records where the donor's residence is in South Carolina. Party classifications reflect the candidate's FEC filing designation.