With virtually all precincts reporting, Brown, a Hanahan Republican with two terms under his belt as 1st District representative, pounded his Green Party challenger, James E. Dunn, getting the approval of nine out of 10 voters.

"We never take anything for granted," said Brown, 68. "We try to reach out to our constituents, not just the week before elections, but the whole year."

Brown, who celebrated his victory in downtown Charleston, has been solidly in President Bush's corner since first being elected. He has supported the Iraq war and doesn't believe the United States should withdraw troops, unlike Dunn. Brown also favors drilling for oil in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge, and supports Bush's tax cuts.

Clyburn, 64, a Democrat who has been in office since 1992, also breezed to victory over his Republican challenger, Gary McLeod, a Manning Internet services provider. With about 90 percent of the precincts reporting, Clyburn clobbered McLeod by a 2 to 1 margin.

"I've got to be proud of the vote in this election," Clyburn said. "I think I run an office that's reflective of what the state is all about and the people recognize it."

The 6th District race focused on the use of federal dollars for water, sewer lines and roads to create jobs. The race took a turn for the nasty when McLeod tried to portray Clyburn as a supporter of anti-Christian policies in an attempt to draw Clyburn's black constituents away.

Of that tactic, Clyburn said, "My opponent is a guy who professes the Christian faith but does not practice it. He is the type of person who does the work of demons."

Elsewhere in the state, it appeared the Lowcountry's trend of favoring the incumbent was followed throughout South Carolina:

-- Incumbent Republican Rep. Joe Wilson, who represents the 2nd District, beat Democratic challenger Michael Ellisor by a 2 to 1 margin with about 90 percent of the precincts reporting.

-- Republican Rep. James G. Barrett, who ran unopposed, recaptured the 3rd District seat.

-- Bob Inglis, a Republican who held the 4th District seat for six years before stepping down to honor a term limits pledge, led Democratic challenger Brandon P. Brown by more than a 2 to 1 margin with about three-fourths of the precincts reporting.

-- Democratic Rep. John Spratt, a two-decade veteran from York, was poised to defeat Republican challenger Albert Spencer with a nearly 2 to 1 margin in the 5th District.

Click here to return to story:
http://www.charleston.net/stories/110304/loc_03congf.shtml