Bessent says ‘no chance’ he will run for Graham’s Senate seat
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has clarified that he will not run for the U.S. Senate seat in South Carolina to replace the late Lindsey Graham. Bessent, a close friend adn former colleague of Graham, stated he has no intention of entering the race and considers his current position in Washington as the best job. Following Graham’s death at 71, speculation arose about Bessent’s potential candidacy, especially since he resides in South Carolina. graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, has been appointed as an interim senator until the end of Graham’s term, which Bessent praised. Several Republicans are now vying for the seat, with former President Trump endorsing Rep.Russell Fry as his preferred candidate. Other potential candidates include Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman. Graham was first elected in 2003 and was seeking a fifth term; the Republican primary is expected to heavily influence the November election.
EXCLUSIVE — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent ruled out running to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on Tuesday.
“There’s going to be a primary in South Carolina, and I will not be in it,” Bessent said in an interview with the Washington Examiner.
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Pressed if there’s any chance of entering the race, Bessent responded, “No chance. I have the best job in Washington.”
Speculation about Bessent running started soon after Graham died over the weekend at 71. Bessent is a South Carolina native and still maintains a residence there.
Bessent and Graham were close friends and worked together to pass President Donald Trump’s signature tax law, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, last year.
Bessent hailed the selection of Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, as a “great interim pick” to replace the late senator until the end of his term. Bessent attended her swearing-in on Monday, calling it “a lovely ceremony.”
While Bessent may be out, a number of South Carolina Republicans are already jockeying for the chance to replace Graham.
Trump suggested Monday that Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC) is his favored candidate. Trump told Newsmax that Fry is “outstanding” and a “very, very talented person.”
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Retiring Reps. Nancy Mace (R-SC) and Ralph Norman (R-SC), both of whom lost bids for South Carolina governor, are also eyeing the seat.
Graham was first elected to the Senate in 2003 and was running for a fifth term this year. Whoever wins the Republican primary will be heavily favored to win the general election in November.
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