The 1986 South Carolina United States Senate election was held on November 4, 1986 to select the U.S. Senator from the state of South Carolina. Popular incumbent Democratic Senator Fritz Hollings easily defeated Republican challenger Henry McMaster to win his fifth (his fourth full) term. This is also the last US Senate election in South Carolina where the Democrat won with a double-digit margin. McMaster would much later be elected Governor in 2018.

Republican primary

The Republican primary campaign pitted U.S. Attorney Henry McMaster against Henry Jordan, a social conservative supported by televangelist Pat Robertson and many Christian activists.

Candidates

Results

[[File:1986 United States Senate Republican primary in South Carolina results map by county.svg|thumb|center| McMaster {{legend|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend|#d72f30|70–80%}} {{legend|#c21b18|80–90%}} {{legend|#A80000|>90%}} Jordan {{legend|#51C2C2|50–60%}} {{legend|#2AACAC|60–70%}} {{legend|#008080|80–90%}} {{legend|#006666|>90%}} Tie {{legend|#AE8BB1|50%}} ]]

General election

Candidates

Campaign

The race was not seriously contested and was not a target by the Republicans. With little financial assistance, McMaster was unable to mount a credible challenge to Hollings' re-election in what became a difficult year for Republicans.

Results