Former South Carolina Governor and Congressman, Mark Sanford, announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, aiming for the seat of the late Senator Lindsey Graham. As a known critic of President Donald Trump, Sanford now joins a crowded Republican field, including candidates endorsed by Trump himself.
“We’re at a tipping point, and that’s why I’ve decided to run for the U.S. Senate,” Sanford stated in his launch video. He urged voters to consider his track record in Congress and as governor in protecting families’ futures.
Senator Darline Graham, appointed to complete her late brother’s term, declared her candidacy for a full term. Her announcement came shortly after meeting with President Trump, who endorsed her candidacy.
Despite Trump’s support for Graham, other prominent Republicans in South Carolina, like Rep. Ralph Norman and Rep. Russell Fry, have entered the race. Norman, who recently lost a gubernatorial primary, announced his Senate bid. Fry, another Trump supporter, also launched his campaign.
Businessman Mark Lynch, who faced a significant loss against Graham in a recent Republican primary, announced another attempt to win the nomination. The primary is scheduled for August 11, with a potential runoff on August 25 if no candidate surpasses 50% of the vote.
Sanford, who served three terms in the U.S. House in the 1990s and two terms as governor, experienced a political setback due to a personal scandal in 2009. However, he returned to Congress in 2012 and served until 2019. Known for his fiscal conservatism, Sanford emphasizes the country’s rising debt as a key issue in his campaign. “Our country is at a financial tipping point. I can’t sit on the sidelines while Washington adds a trillion dollars to the debt every 100 days,” Sanford expressed.
In contrast, Fry and Norman emphasize their alliances with Trump. Fry declared, “South Carolina doesn’t need just another senator. It needs President Trump’s strongest ally in the United States Senate.” Norman also pledged support for Trump’s legislative priorities, like the SAVE America Act.
Trump’s endorsements carry weight, though Darline Graham has also secured significant backing from congressional figures such as Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso. Senate Majority Leader John Thune commented that, despite her lack of elected experience, Graham is an accomplished candidate.
As the primary approaches, the candidates vie for influence and endorsements in this competitive race. The successful Republican nominee is likely favored against Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in South Carolina’s conservative landscape.