{"id":2454854,"date":"2025-07-02T16:28:02","date_gmt":"2025-07-02T20:28:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-lt-gov-andre-bauer-launches-senate-bid-to-replace-lindsey-graham-in-south-carolina-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-07-02T16:29:28","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T20:29:28","slug":"former-lt-gov-andre-bauer-launches-senate-bid-to-replace-lindsey-graham-in-south-carolina-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-lt-gov-andre-bauer-launches-senate-bid-to-replace-lindsey-graham-in-south-carolina-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer launches Senate bid to replace Lindsey Graham in South Carolina &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">36<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fformer-lt-gov-andre-bauer-launches-senate-bid-to-replace-lindsey-graham-in-south-carolina-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2454854&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>former South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer has officially launched his campaign to replace Senator Lindsey Graham in the U.S. Senate. Announcing his bid, Bauer positions himself as a &#8220;MAGA candidate&#8221; to the right of Graham, accusing the senator of losing touch with conservative values and South Carolinians. Bauer, who has a history of supporting Donald Trump, emphasizes his commitment to the &#8220;America First&#8221; agenda and aims to challenge Graham&#8217;s positions, notably regarding foreign policy and collaboration with Democrats. He has begun actively promoting his campaign with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/largest-pro-israel-group-in-us-launches-ads-against-biden-pentagon-pick\/\" title=\"Largest Pro-Israel Group in US Launches ...s Against ...en Pentagon Pick\">targeted ad campaign<\/a> on social media that criticizes Graham&#8217;s past comments and political actions. Graham&#8217;s team has responded by highlighting the senator&#8217;s achievements and strong support from Trump.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Former Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer launches Senate bid to replace Lindsey Graham in South Carolina<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2159155\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Andre Bauer, the former lieutenant governor of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/south-carolina\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">South Carolina<\/a>, launched his bid on Wednesday to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3454479\/andre-bauer-considering-run-lindsey-graham-senate-seat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"replace\">replace<\/a> Sen. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lindsey-graham\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Lindsey Graham\">Lindsey Graham<\/a> (R-SC).<\/p>\n<p>Bauer had hinted at the move in an exclusive interview with the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> last week. He&rsquo;s running as a MAGA candidate to Graham&rsquo;s right, saying the longtime senator had &ldquo;lost his way&rdquo; and that South Carolinians &ldquo;deserve a true conservative fighter.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3460970\/trump-nominates-alina-habba-us-attorney-new-jersey\/\">Trump nominates Alina Habba to be permanent US attorney for New Jersey<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3459117\/john-thune-trump-agenda-business-model-guide-senate-battles\/\">Thune: Trump agenda &#8216;business model&#8217; to guide future Senate battles<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3460157\/fbi-withheld-2020-china-investigation-to-avoid-contradicting-wray-records-show\/\">FBI withheld 2020 China investigation to avoid contradicting Wray, records show<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) reacts as Donald Trump, not pictured, acknowledges him during a campaign event at the South Carolina Statehouse, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Columbia, South Carolina. From left, former South Carolina Lt. Gov. Andr&eacute; Bauer, Wilson, Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC), and South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;One of the first leaders in the country to endorse Trump in early 2016, Andr&eacute; has been on the front lines of the America First movement, and has stood firmly with Trump on every issue,&rdquo; Bauer&rsquo;s campaign said in an email release. &ldquo;Andr&eacute; is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/sheriff-mark-lamb-makes-push-to-reunite-fractured-arizona-gop-in-senate-fight\/\" title=\"Sheriff Mark Lamb aims to unite divided Arizona GOP in ... battle.\">proven conservative fighter<\/a> who will unapologetically stand with President Trump and put South Carolina first.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Bauer quickly began his campaign blitz on X, posting an anti-Graham ad highlighting the senator&rsquo;s past criticism of Trump.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Globalist Lindsey Graham has lost his way. He&rsquo;s abandoned South Carolina, sides with Democrats far too often, and continues to undermine the America First agenda,&rdquo; the ad said. &ldquo;South Carolina deserves a real conservative fighter &mdash; guaranteed. That&rsquo;s why I&rsquo;m running for U.S. Senate.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Globalist Lindsey Graham has lost his way. He&#8217;s abandoned South Carolina, sides with Democrats far too often, and continues to undermine the America First agenda.<\/p>\n<p>South Carolina deserves a real conservative fighter &mdash; guaranteed. That&#8217;s why I&#8217;m running for U.S. Senate.<\/p>\n<p>Join me&hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/cee7n0FqKL\">pic.twitter.com\/cee7n0FqKL<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Andr&eacute; Bauer (@AndreBauerSC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AndreBauerSC\/status\/1940461064530899075?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 2, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Bauer launched his own campaign <a href=\"https:\/\/www.andrebauer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"website\">website<\/a>. When viewers open the website, the first thing they&rsquo;re presented with is a pop-up showing a 10-second clip of Graham voicing his admiration for former President Joe Biden, saying, &ldquo;What&rsquo;s not to like?&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Bauer, who served as South Carolina&rsquo;s lieutenant governor from 2003 to 2011, is hitching much of his campaign on his closeness with Trump. His main criticisms include Graham&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >interventionist foreign policy stances<\/a> and occasional cooperation with Democrats.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s lost his way. It&rsquo;s more foreign wars. It&rsquo;s not supporting an &lsquo;America First&rsquo; agenda,&rdquo; Bauer said in last week&rsquo;s interview.<\/p>\n<p>After leaving office in 2011, Bauer has primarily served in a supporting role politically. In last week&rsquo;s interview, he claimed that Trump had urged him to reenter politics several times.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s expressed confidence in me four or five times in a row that I&rsquo;ve seen him,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3454479\/andre-bauer-considering-run-lindsey-graham-senate-seat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"EX-LT. GOV. ANDRE BAUER WEIGHING LINDSEY GRAHAM CHALLENGE IN SOUTH CAROLINA\">EX-LT. GOV. ANDRE BAUER WEIGHING LINDSEY GRAHAM CHALLENGE IN SOUTH CAROLINA<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In a statement, Graham spokeswoman Abby Zilch said he was proud to have Trump&rsquo;s &ldquo;complete and total endorsement&rdquo; while highlighting the senator&rsquo;s work as Budget Committee chairman.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Senator Graham is focused on helping Trump enact his America First agenda &mdash; cutting taxes, eliminating waste, funding border security, and standing with Israel against religious Nazis who want to wipe them off the map,&rdquo; Zilch said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2159155\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2159155\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Former Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer announces Senate run against Lindsey Graham in South Carolina<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2653,"featured_media":2454855,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Andre-Bauer.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[57918,32283,34864,58307,32076],"class_list":["post-2454854","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-andre-bauer","tag-lindsey-graham","tag-senate-bid","tag-south-carolina-politics","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Andre-Bauer.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2454854","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2653"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2454854"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2454854\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2454858,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2454854\/revisions\/2454858"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2454855"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2454854"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2454854"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2454854"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}