SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) - The first woman elected to represent South Carolina in Congress has died.
Pat Patterson tells media outlets his mother, Elizabeth “Liz” Patterson, died Saturday after an extended illness. She was 78.
Patterson was first elected to represent South Carolina’s 4th District in 1986 and served three terms before losing to Republican Bob Inglis in 1992.
She was the daughter of the late Gov. Olin D. Johnston, who also represented South Carolina as U.S. senator. Patterson was the Democratic nominee for South Carolina’s lieutenant governor in 1994.
After losing that race, she taught political science at Spartanburg Methodist College.
State Democratic Party Chairman Trav Robertson said Patterson “showed resilience and compassion as she became a trailblazer” for women in Congress. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
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