Clyburn keeps longtime seat in Sumter, Clarendon, Congressional District

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The 6th Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives was likely retained by longtime Democratic incumbent James E. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., with 70.94 percent of the vote on Tuesday at press time.

Clyburn, who was born in Sumter County, has held his position in Congress since 1993, having served as the House assistant minority leader since 2011. He is the assistant Democratic leader, was the House majority whip from 2007 to 2011 and is the current dean of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation.

Clyburn appeared to defeat Republican challenger Gerhard Gressmann, who had open-heart surgery in September, and Green Party co-chairman Bryan Pugh in his first bid for public office.

Gressmann received 27.52 percent of the vote at press time, while Pugh received 1.46 percent.

Clyburn received 79.94 percent of the vote in Sumter County and 53.66 percent of the vote in Clarendon County.

Clyburn was unavailable for comment at press time.