{"id":2633042,"date":"2026-07-21T10:07:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T14:07:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/heres-who-is-running-to-replace-lindsey-graham-in-the-senate\/"},"modified":"2026-07-21T10:08:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T14:08:19","slug":"heres-who-is-running-to-replace-lindsey-graham-in-the-senate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/heres-who-is-running-to-replace-lindsey-graham-in-the-senate\/","title":{"rendered":"Here&#8217;s who is running to replace Lindsey Graham in the Senate"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/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%2Fheres-who-is-running-to-replace-lindsey-graham-in-the-senate%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=2633042&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>South Carolina voters will hold a special republican primary on August 11 to select a nominee to fill the Senate seat formerly held by Lindsey Graham. The race features several candidates, including Darline Graham Nordone, who was appointed to fill her late brother Lindsey Graham\u2019s remaining term and has announced her intention to run for a full term. Nordone, known for her advocacy for the disabled, has received a presidential endorsement from Donald trump, though she may take a more domestic-focused approach than her late brother.<\/p>\n<p>Other notable candidates include Rep. Russell Fry, who campaigns as the &#8220;conservative MAGA candidate&#8221; and has been endorsed by Trump; Ralph Norman, a five-term congressman aiming to continue Graham&#8217;s legacy and pass the SAVE America Act; and businessman Mark Lynch, who is returning for a second run after the previous primary. Donald Trump has endorsed Fry but has not endorsed Norman, who remains committed to his bid.<\/p>\n<p>Additional candidates include duke Buckner and others with local political experience. Nancy Mace has ruled out running for Graham\u2019s seat. The winner will face Democrat Annie Andrews in the november general election. Graham, who was re-elected in 2026 before his passing, had secured a primary victory in June over Mark Lynch.  <\/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<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/south-carolina\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"524\">South Carolina<\/a> voters will participate in a special primary election in August to name a GOP nominee to fill the seat formerly held by Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lindsey-graham\/\">Lindsey Graham<\/a> in the upper chamber.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/darline-graham-nordone\/\">Darline Graham Nordone<\/a> (R-SC) was sworn in to fill the remainder of her late brother\u2019s unexpired term last week after Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC) appointed her to the seat. Initially expected to serve in a temporary, caretaker capacity until Graham\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >elected permanent replacement filled<\/a> the seat in January, Nordone\u2019s prospects shifted when President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> endorsed and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4653799\/trump-endorses-darline-graham-nordone-full-term\/\">publicly encouraged her to run<\/a> for the full term.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4656578\/who-is-running-replace-lindsey-graham-senate\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Here\u2019s who is running to replace Lindsey Graham in the Senate<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4656178\/mike-collins-controversies-georgia-senate\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Mike Collins\u2019s controversies cloud Georgia Senate bid<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4655868\/james-talarico-black-voters-town-hall-houston-texas-senate-race\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>James Talarico accused of not doing enough for black voters during heated town hall<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Graham was up for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11675\">reelection in 2026<\/a>, and he had won the primary in June, defeating the next-closest candidate, businessman Mark Lynch, by a 27.9-point margin.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The special Republican primary will take place on Aug. 11 to see which candidate will take on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4645748\/annie-andrews-appeals-lindsey-graham-voters-democrat-dreams-flip-south-carolina-seat\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4645748\">Democrat Annie Andrews<\/a> in the November general election. Here\u2019s a list of the candidates who have declared their candidacies in the special GOP primary election.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-darline-graham-nordone\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Darline Graham Nordone<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nordone <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4655751\/graham-nordone-run-for-full-term\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4655751\/graham-nordone-run-for-full-term\/\">announced on Monday<\/a> that she would seek a full term to replace her brother in the Senate permanently.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI have been praying a lot, talking to my family. But with the love of my family, with the support of his staff, I know I\u2019m a hard worker. I learned that from Lindsey. He cared about the people of this state. I have worked for almost 30 years for the people of this state,\u201d <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4655751\/graham-nordone-run-for-full-term\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4655751\/graham-nordone-run-for-full-term\/\">Nordone told Fox News\u2019s Sean Hannity<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nordone, 62, has never held elected office and has only been in the political spotlight when she was campaigning with or appearing at events alongside her brother. She has <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4646870\/what-to-know-darline-graham-nordone-senator\/\">built her career around disability advocacy<\/a>, serving as commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and president of the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind. As she completes Graham\u2019s term, Nordone sits as South Carolina\u2019s first female senator.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nordone told the outlet on Monday evening that she would be focused on \u201cwhat matters to the average person,\u201d listing <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/affordability\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"21532\">affordability<\/a> concerns such as lowering the price of groceries, gas, healthcare, and insurance. In doing so, she also hinted that she may take less of a national security-focused approach than her late brother did in the upper chamber.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4656444\/darline-graham-lindsey-war-hawk-senate-legacy\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4656444\/darline-graham-lindsey-war-hawk-senate-legacy\/\">DARLINE GRAHAM NORDONE SIGNALS BREAK WITH LATE BROTHER\u2019S DEFENSE-FOCUSED SENATE LEGACY<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"h-russell-fry\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Russell Fry<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC) announced on Monday morning that he would be running in the Aug. 11 special primary as well. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4655087\/russell-fry-announces-campaign-lindsey-graham-senate-seat\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4655087\/russell-fry-announces-campaign-lindsey-graham-senate-seat\/\">Fry pitched himself<\/a> as the \u201cconservative MAGA candidate\u201d of the primary.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cToo many South Carolina families are struggling to make ends meet. High gas prices and soaring grocery costs are hurting hardworking people. We need a conservative fighter in the Senate who delivers real results,\u201d Fry said in a statement on Monday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The two-term congressman currently represents the Palmetto State\u2019s 7th Congressional District, covering the northeast part of the state, including Myrtle Beach. Fry serves in a \u201cSolid Republican\u201d seat, per the Cook Political Report, and won his 2024 election by 29.9 points.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trump had told Newsmax before endorsing Nordone for the full term that Fry would be an <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.newsmax.com\/newsmax-tv\/donald-trump-russell-fry-lindsey-graham\/2026\/07\/13\/id\/1262723\/\">\u201coutstanding\u201d<\/a> pick for the seat.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-ralph-norman\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ralph Norman<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ralph-norman\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4637\">Ralph Norman<\/a> (R-SC), who had <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/2440446\/ralph-norman-mulling-a-primary-challenge-against-lindsey-graham\/\">mulled challenging<\/a> Graham in 2025, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4654515\/ralph-norman-announce-run-senate\/?itm_source=parsely-api\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4654515\/ralph-norman-announce-run-senate\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">entered the special primary race<\/a> over the weekend.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m running to represent the people of South Carolina in the U.S. Senate because we need a fighter who will stand with President Trump and carry on Lindsey Graham\u2019s legacy,\u201d Norman said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Norman gave a nod to the SAVE America Act in his announcement, saying he wants to see it passed in the upper chamber.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019ve spent years fighting for the Palmetto State in the state house, in Congress, and now I want to get the SAVE America Act passed in the Senate,\u201d <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RalphNorman\/status\/2078497661490278719?s=20\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RalphNorman\/status\/2078497661490278719?s=20\">Norman said<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The five-term South Carolina legislator initially <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4648094\/lindsey-graham-william-timmons-senate-vacancy\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">asked Trump<\/a> for his endorsement in the race, but the president rebuffed him, saying it was \u201ctoo early,\u201d before backing Nordone. Norman told NewsNation this week that he will <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.newsnationnow.com\/politics\/2026-midterm-elections\/trump-endorsement-senate-ralph-norman\/\">not drop his bid<\/a> despite Trump\u2019s endorsement of Nordone, saying, \u201cWe\u2019ve got a country to save.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Norman represents central northern South Carolina and also serves in a safe GOP district, winning his race in 2024 by a 27.2-point margin. He ran for governor this year, coming in third in the GOP primary, falling to Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-other-candidates\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other candidates<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Businessman Mark Lynch will also run again for the Senate seat after falling to Graham by 27.9 points in the first go-around for the GOP nomination.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MarkLynchSC\/status\/2079230579174699506?s=20\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MarkLynchSC\/status\/2079230579174699506?s=20\">Lynch said he is campaigning<\/a> on giving South Carolina and Americans \u201csecure elections, secure borders, and leaders who will keep their promises.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4655994\/thune-graham-nordone-south-carolina-senate-endorsement\/#google_vignette\">THUNE WON\u2019T ENDORSE DARLINE GRAHAM NORDONE FOR FULL TERM \u2018AT THE MOMENT\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recurring political candidate Duke Buckner is also running to replace Graham, according to local media outlets. Buckner challenged Graham before and has also challenged Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), falling by double digits to each.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) has <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4656118\/nancy-mace-south-carolina-senate-withdrawal\/\">ruled out <\/a>a<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4656118\/nancy-mace-south-carolina-senate-withdrawal\/\"> <\/a>bid for Graham\u2019s seat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SC voters to choose GOP nominee in August for Graham&#8217;s Senate seat<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2633043,"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\/2026\/07\/Lindsey-Graham--e1784320870741.webp?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4506,7064,5894,3740],"class_list":["post-2633042","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-4506","tag-candidates","tag-politics","tag-senate"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Lindsey-Graham--e1784320870741.webp?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2633042","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\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2633042"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2633042\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2633046,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2633042\/revisions\/2633046"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2633043"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2633042"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2633042"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2633042"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}