Another political legend in South Carolina, Kay Patterson had run unopposed for a number of election cycles until 2004 when he drew opposition in the Democratic Primary. And, his opposition was not to be taken lightly. Columbia attorney, Hemphill Pride, dedicated an enormous amount of resources and engaged the help of seasoned political veterans in his attempt to unseat Patterson, who had held the seat since 1985.
 
Patterson countered by hiring CRS along with other battle-tested political veterans in what became the most-watched race of the 2004 Democratic Primary in Richland County. CRS conducted benchmark polling research, periodic tracking polls, a full-service phone program, GOTV, data services, consulting, and other services to help Patterson beat back the challenge Pride brought to the election.
 
When the vote count came in on Election Night, the results were overwhelming. Not only had Patterson beat back the challenge, he decimated Pride by an 85-15 margin and secured his status as a political legend not only in Richland County, but across South Carolina. Patterson went on later to defeat a third-party candidate, as well as a petition candidate, in the November General Election.