SC's 4 freshmen GOP congressmen face opposition

Tools

Story Created: Oct 20, 2012 at 1:15 PM EDT

Story Updated: Oct 23, 2012 at 4:15 AM EDT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina's four freshmen congressmen say they want to continue to fight for limited government and reduced spending, while their Democratic opponents accuse them of contributing to gridlock in Washington.

Republican Reps. Tim Scott, Jeff Duncan, Trey Gowdy and Mick Mulvaney discount that characterization, saying they were elected to stem spending.

Their opponents face long odds, with little cash to spend on their campaigns in heavily conservative districts. Three of the challengers are pro-abortion rights women in their first political race, who tout a need for more female representation. South Carolina hasn't elected a woman to Congress since 1990.

South Carolina's only Democrat in Congress, 20-year veteran Rep. Jim Clyburn, lacks a Republican opponent. But the House's highest-ranking black member again faces Green Party candidate Nammu Muhammad.