The Race
Rep. Sheri Biggs (R-SC) reported raising approximately $692,000 for reelection in South Carolina's 3rd Congressional District through Sept. 30, compared with $93,000 for Democratic challenger Eunice Lehmacher. Biggs raised more than seven times as much in a race rated Solid Republican.
The gap was narrower in cash on hand. Biggs reported approximately $259,000 in cash and $395,000 in campaign debt, compared with Lehmacher's $50,000 in cash and $100 in debt.
Lehmacher defeated Ernest Mackins in the June 9 Democratic primary by approximately 7 percentage points. Biggs was unopposed in the Republican primary. Libertarian Brian Corriea is also on the general election ballot.
Who's Writing the Checks?
The candidates' reported donor profiles differ significantly.
- Biggs: Physicians led her listed occupation categories at $3,750, followed by commercial real estate, government relations and real estate, each at $3,500. Her itemized contributors included medical, real estate, and business professionals.
- Lehmacher: Property managers and Spanish interpreters each contributed $2,000, followed by professors ($1,910) and homemakers ($1,600). Her reported contributors spanned occupations, with no single dominant category.
Donors identifying as retired or not employed accounted for approximately 30% of Biggs' itemized individual contributions, compared with 68% of Lehmacher's. Biggs also received a substantially larger share of her campaign receipts from political committees: approximately 58%, compared with none reported for Lehmacher.
The Bottom Line
Outside groups reportedly spent about $6,000 in South Carolina's 3rd District, with most of it supporting Biggs. The district's Solid Republican rating and Biggs' fundraising advantage favor the incumbent, while Lehmacher entered October with approximately 19% as much cash on hand.
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