1990Final results
1990 election for U.S. Senate in South Carolina
U.S. Senate · South Carolina
Strom Thurmond (R) won with 64.2% of the vote, defeating Bob Cunningham (D) by 31.7 points.
Strom ThurmondRepublican · winner
64.2%482,032
Bob CunninghamDemocrat
32.5%244,112
William H. GriffinLibertarian
1.8%13,805
Marion C. MettsOther party
1.4%10,317
750,716 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1990
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Bob CunninghamStrom Thurmond
$6.4K
Raised by the campaign
$2.1M
$6.2K
Spent by the campaign
$1.9M
$147
Cash on hand
$221.1K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1990.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1990
The candidates
Strom Thurmond (R)Bob Cunningham (D)
Also on the ballot: William H. Griffin (Libertarian), 1.8%; Marion C. Metts (Other party), 1.4%