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Until well into the 1870s, Hampton had continued to reject urges that he challenge the Radical government at the ballot box, though he had been active in upholding the merits of the Southern cause and imploring his fellow Southerners to take pride in their actions during the war. In 1876, however, a number of white Democratic politicians convinced him to consent to being nominated for governor by the state convention, arguing that only he had the prominence and positive reputation to make an effective run. Hampton was nominated that August, campaigning against the Republican incumbent, Daniel H. Chamberlain. The campaign was marked by numerous incidents of violence, especially between black Republican militias and the pro-Hampton "Red Shirts" (which included both white and black Democrats), though Hampton himself worked to prevent provocations from his own supporters. However, he also raised legal defense funds for [[Ku Klux Klan]] terrorists.<ref name=greenvilleonline/> Following the November election, both Hampton and Chamberlain claimed victory, and each party tried to outmaneuver the other in gaining control of the state government buildings. Finally, as a result of the [[Compromise of 1877]], and realizing the superior organization of state Democrats, the new U.S. President, [[Rutherford B. Hayes]], recognized Hampton as governor and withdrew federal troops from the state, ending Reconstruction. Hampton took possession of the governor's office on April 11, 1877, effectively beginning his tenure as the state's chief executive.

Until well into the 1870s, Hampton had continued to reject urges that he challenge the Radical government at the ballot box, though he had been active in upholding the merits of the Southern cause and imploring his fellow Southerners to take pride in their actions during the war. In 1876, however, a number of white Democratic politicians convinced him to consent to being nominated for governor by the state convention, arguing that only he had the prominence and positive reputation to make an effective run. Hampton was nominated that August, campaigning against the Republican incumbent, Daniel H. Chamberlain. The campaign was marked by numerous incidents of violence, especially between black Republican militias and the pro-Hampton "Red Shirts" (which included both white and black Democrats), though Hampton himself worked to prevent provocations from his own supporters. However, he also raised legal defense funds for [[Ku Klux Klan]] terrorists.<ref name=greenvilleonline/> Following the November election, both Hampton and Chamberlain claimed victory, and each party tried to outmaneuver the other in gaining control of the state government buildings. Finally, as a result of the [[Compromise of 1877]], and realizing the superior organization of state Democrats, the new U.S. President, [[Rutherford B. Hayes]], recognized Hampton as governor and withdrew federal troops from the state, ending Reconstruction. Hampton took possession of the governor's office on April 11, 1877, effectively beginning his tenure as the state's chief executive.

As governor, Hampton stood for small government and racial reconciliation. Given the state's deep debt, he obtained loans from Northern bankers, while cutting expenses wherever possible; taxes were kept low, Hampton noting that "the resources of our people are well nigh exhausted." State funding for primary education was maintained, however, for both white and black children, and African-Americans judged competent were appointed to state and local offices. Though some vengeance-minded white Democrats opposed Hampton's policies, they were popular with the majority, white voters as well as black, and he was decisively reelected in 1878 (though the occasion was marred by a hunting accident that November which resulted in the amputation of Hampton's right leg).

As governor, Hampton stood for small government and racial reconciliation. He focused on resolving the state's deep public debt,<ref>[https://www.nga.org/governor/wade-hampton-iii/ Gov. Wade Hampton III]. ''National Governors Association''. Retrieved August 14, 2021.</ref> obtaining loans from Northern bankers while cutting expenses wherever possible; taxes were kept low, Hampton noting that "the resources of our people are well nigh exhausted." State funding for primary education was maintained, however, for both white and black children, and African-Americans judged competent were appointed to state and local offices. Though some vengeance-minded white Democrats opposed Hampton's policies, they were popular with the majority, white voters as well as black, and he was decisively reelected in 1878 (though the occasion was marred by a hunting accident that November which resulted in the amputation of Hampton's right leg).

Soon after Hampton's reelection, the state legislature nominated him as U.S. Senator to replace the outgoing Republican incumbent, reasoning that he would be better able to represent South Carolina on the national level. Hampton agreed, though still recovering from his injury, and was elected by the legislature in December 1878. Hampton served as U.S. Senator for South Carolina from 1879 to 1891. During that time, he called for peace between North and South, as well as such causes as [[civil service system|civil service reform]] and a more just policy for the western Indian tribes. He also continued a stance of racial moderation, opposing the disenfranchisement of those African-Americans already eligible to vote, though he did call for educational and property qualifications. This position alienated many white Democrats in the state, especially the emerging [[Populist]] wing under racial demagogue [[Ben Tillman]], and though Hampton had been re-elected to the Senate in 1884, they denied him a third term in the 1890 election. He later came to oppose Tillman's voter disenfranchisement attempts.<ref name=greenvilleonline/>

Soon after Hampton's reelection, the state legislature nominated him as U.S. Senator to replace the outgoing Republican incumbent, reasoning that he would be better able to represent South Carolina on the national level. Hampton agreed, though still recovering from his injury, and was elected by the legislature in December 1878. Hampton served as U.S. Senator for South Carolina from 1879 to 1891. During that time, he called for peace between North and South, as well as such causes as [[civil service system|civil service reform]] and a more just policy for the western Indian tribes. He also continued a stance of racial moderation, opposing the disenfranchisement of those African-Americans already eligible to vote, though he did call for educational and property qualifications. This position alienated many white Democrats in the state, especially the emerging [[Populist]] wing under racial demagogue [[Ben Tillman]], and though Hampton had been re-elected to the Senate in 1884, they denied him a third term in the 1890 election. He later came to oppose Tillman's voter disenfranchisement attempts.<ref name=greenvilleonline/>