The South Carolina race to replace former U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died of heart complications in July, intensified Monday as Graham’s sister announced she’s running for a full term, and a second U.S. representative tossed his hat into the ring.
Darline Graham Nordone, who was sworn in last Monday to serve the remainder of Graham’s term after her appointment by Gov. Henry McMaster, Fox News’ Sean Hannity, in a pre-recording of a show which will air Monday night, shared with Politico that she would also be running for the seat in the Aug. 11 special Senate election.
“I’ve made a decision,” Graham Nordone said. “I’m in.”
Her announcement comes after President Donald Trump endorsed her for the seat.
“I hope Darline does this, in that there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey,” Trump said in a post to social media. “RUN, DARLINE, RUN!”
Sen. Tim Scott, chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, mirrors the president’s support.
Graham Nordone now faces a crowded primary race.
Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., announced his candidacy earlier Monday.
“There is no other way to put it: Lindsey Graham was one of a kind,” Fry said in a statement. “There is no replacing him. But I believe the best way to honor his legacy is to fight alongside the President just as steadfastly as he did.”
“There’s too much at stake to take a chance, so I’m answering the call,” Fry added. “I will be your conservative MAGA candidate in this summer’s special Republican primary for the United States Senate.”
Fry was first elected to serve in the chamber after he primaried Rep. Tom Rice, R-S.C., one of the 10 Republicans to vote to impeach Trump in 2021.
Before serving in Congress, Fry, the former chief majority whip in the South Carolina House, championed “America First” priorities by helping pass the Open Carry Act and the strict Fetal Heartbeat Bill.
Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., who also announced his bid for the seat, responded to the statement, saying in a social media post, “I’m fighting to SAVE America! I respect Russell Fry, and I have enjoyed serving with him in the House, but the reality is, his candidacy could leave his seat vacant until May 18th.”
“This would leave his constituents unrepresented, jeopardize President Trump’s agenda, and put the House at risk of being led by a Speaker Hakeem Jeffries. We can’t let that happen!!”
According to reports, Fry will not resign from his seat to run for office, and if he were to lose the special Senate election, Fry would once again run for his House seat in November.
Norman has also championed America First accomplishments during his time in the lower chamber. Heritage Action has awarded Norman a 98% score, as he championed Trump-backed legislation like the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act.
The winner of the special primary will face Democrat Annie Andrews in the November general election.
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[ H/T The Daily Signal ]
