Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., arrives for a House Republican Conference Caucus meeting at the Capitol Hill Club on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Washington.
Bill Clark | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | getty images
South Carolina Rep. Russell Fry is the latest Republican from the state to put his name in the ring to fill the late Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat, as Graham’s sister, Darlene, is considering running and other hopefuls are vying to win the race for a full six-year term.
In one statement, fry Posted on x On Monday, announced he would run in the special primary election on August 11, setting up an intraparty conflict that will also include Representative Ralph Norman. Darlene Graham, who was appointed last week to serve in the role on an interim basis through the end of the year, received President Donald Trump’s endorsement on Friday, but has not announced whether she will seek the party’s nomination.
filed for special primary Officially opens Tuesday at noon ET. The winner of that primary will face Democrat Anne Andrews in the general election this November Cook Political Report with Amy Walter Was labeled “Solid R”.
“I’m in South Carolina! I’m running for U.S. Senate. Too many South Carolina families are struggling to make ends meet. High gas prices and rising grocery prices are hurting hard-working people,” Fry said in his post.
The post continued, “We need a conservative fighter in the Senate who will deliver real results. I will be your conservative MAGA candidate in the special primary Senate election this summer. I’m ready for the fight, and I’m all in.”
Lindsey Graham, 71, died on July 11 from aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic heart disease, according to a preliminary finding by the Office of the Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia.
Fry, a close ally of Trump, has represented South Carolina’s 7th Congressional District in the northeastern part of the state through 2023. Norman, a conservative member of the House Freedom Caucus who failed in his bid for South Carolina governor in the GOP primary earlier this year, announced his plans to run for the Senate seat over the weekend.
“I’m running to represent the people of South Carolina in the U.S. Senate because we need a fighter who will stand up to President Trump and carry on Lindsey Graham’s legacy! I’ve spent years fighting for the Palmetto State in the State House, in Congress, and now I want to pass the Save America Act in the Senate!” Norman wroteReferencing a controversial, Trump-backed elections bill that would impose strict photo ID requirements and require proof of citizenship to register to vote.
Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., leaves a meeting of the House Republican Conference at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Tom Williams | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | getty images
Norman has represented South Carolina’s 5th congressional district in the north-central part of the state since 2017. He is not seeking re-election to the House.
A primary victory for Fry, who is seeking another House term, could complicate the path for Republicans to retain the House majority. If he is successful in his Senate bid, there is not enough time to replace Fry on the ballot for his House seat in November.
South Carolina Election Commission confirmed in a statement Last week that a candidate could appear on the general election ballot for multiple offices. But if Fry wins both seats, he would have to refuse to be sworn into the House, triggering a special election in the spring of 2027 and potentially leaving the House GOP short of a member to start the 120th Congress.
“I respect Russell Fry and I have enjoyed working with him in the House, but the reality is that his candidacy could leave his seat vacant by May 18. It would leave his constituents unrepresented, put President Trump’s agenda at risk and put Speaker Hakeem Jeffries at risk of losing leadership of the House. We can’t let that happen!!” Norman posted x on Monday, referring to the Democratic House leader.
Mark Lynch, a South Carolina businessman who came in second place against Lindsey Graham in South Carolina’s June GOP primary, Announced on 13 July That he will join the race. duke buckner, who launched two unsuccessful bidsAlso to unseat Democratic Representative James Clyburn in South Carolina’s 6th Congressional District, in 2022 and 2024 announced his candidacy.
Graham, who was took oath last TuesdayHas not officially said whether she will seek the seat for a six-year term. In an open letter to his voters released over the weekend, he thanked voters for their support.
Graham wrote, “Lindsay dedicated his life to serving South Carolina and protecting our country. He accomplished much, yet he still had many big ideas that he was determined to bring to fruition.” “Now, the time has come for me to step up for South Carolina, just like he stepped up for me when our parents died. In the most challenging times, I’ve learned that God often calls ordinary people to do extraordinary things.”
And Trump, in his satyasocial post Urging Graham to seek the nomination, calling him a “brilliant man and a true American patriot.”
“There’s no one better to honor the legacy of your beloved brother, Lindsay. Darlene, who comes from an absolutely incredible family, has been a winner her entire life and, should she accept, she has my full and complete endorsement in the special election for U.S. Senate in South Carolina – she will never let you down. Run, Darlene, run!” Trump wrote.