{"id":2634162,"date":"2026-07-23T14:35:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T18:35:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mark-sanford-announces-run-for-lindsey-grahams-senate-seat\/"},"modified":"2026-07-23T14:36:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T18:36:03","slug":"mark-sanford-announces-run-for-lindsey-grahams-senate-seat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mark-sanford-announces-run-for-lindsey-grahams-senate-seat\/","title":{"rendered":"Mark Sanford announces run for Lindsey Graham&#8217;s Senate seat"},"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\">18<\/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%2Fmark-sanford-announces-run-for-lindsey-grahams-senate-seat%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=2634162&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 Governor Mark Sanford has announced his candidacy for the Republican primary to replace the late Senator Lindsey Graham in the U.S. Senate.sanford joins several other candidates, including Graham\u2019s sister and current caretaker, Darline Graham Nordone. Sanford, known for his conservative fiscal policies and past service as governor and congressman, highlighted concerns over national debt and government spending in his campaign, emphasizing the need to address the country\u2019s financial future. He previously served in congress and as governor but lost his congressional seat in 2018 after Trump supported a primary challenger. Sanford&#8217;s campaign also touches on his record of fiscal responsibility and his stance against excessive government spending, especially in light of rising national debt and economic challenges. The special primary election, scheduled for August 11, will determine the Republican nominee to compete against Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews in the November election.  <\/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\">Former Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mark-sanford\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4161\">Mark Sanford<\/a> (R-SC) has thrown his hat in the ring for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/south-carolina\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"524\">South Carolina<\/a>\u2018s special Republican primary election to replace the late Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lindsey-graham\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"737\">Lindsey Graham<\/a> (R-SC) in the U.S. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8765\">Senate<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sanford joins a list of about <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4656578\/who-is-running-replace-lindsey-graham-senate\/\">half a dozen candidates<\/a>, including Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/darline-graham-nordone\/\">Darline Graham Nordone<\/a> (R-SC), Graham\u2019s sister and the current caretaker appointed to fill his unexpired term, who have decided to run for the special primary election to fill Graham\u2019s spot on the ballot. The former governor and U.S. congressman is a conservative fiscal hawk who drew the ire of President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> after challenging him on government spending in Trump\u2019s first 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\/4660958\/former-governor-mark-sanford-twice-in-congress-run-lindsey-graham-senate\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Mark Sanford announces run for Lindsey Graham\u2019s Senate seat<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/technology\/4660858\/james-talarico-texas-data-center-proposal\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>James Talarico demands locals be given power over data centers in proposal mirroring Greg Abbott\u2019s<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4660513\/collins-ossoff-out-state-funding\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Collins hits Ossoff over out-of-state funding as Democrat raises eye-popping numbers<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur ability to afford things, inflation, and the way people struggle to build a life are but symptoms of spending beyond our means as a country,\u201d Sanford said in his announcement <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MarkSanford\/status\/2080310786027556980?s=20\">video<\/a>. \u201cWe\u2019re at a tipping point, and that\u2019s why I\u2019ve decided to run for the U.S. Senate.\u201d<\/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 longtime South Carolina politician emphasized the importance of fixing the national debt and putting \u201cWashington\u2019s finances back in order\u201d in his campaign, touting his record as a governor and congressman of cutting spending.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m worried for our children because for the first time, America is borrowing from the future faster than we\u2019re building it,\u201d Sanford said. \u201cWe\u2019ll add about a trillion dollars to the national debt over the next 100 days, and if left unaddressed, that debt will crush our economy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sanford served in Congress two separate times, representing South Carolina\u2019s 1st Congressional District, first for three terms at the turn of the millennium and then for three terms in the 2010s. He served as governor for two terms in between his congressional stints and was ultimately ousted from Congress when Trump backed his primary challenger in 2018.<\/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\">Between his terms in public office, Sanford\u2019s personal reputation took a hit in 2009, when he claimed to be hiking the Appalachian Trail but was actually visiting his mistress in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/argentina\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1215\">Argentina<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His bid for Senate is not Sanford\u2019s first attempt to get back to Capitol Hill this year. In March, Sanford <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4509387\/mark-sanford-launches-comeback-house-bid\/\">launched a comeback bid<\/a> for his former House seat as Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nancy-mace\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2548\">Nancy Mace<\/a> (R-SC) had launched a bid for governor. However, Sanford <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4549637\/mark-sanford-suspends-campaign-after-30-days\/\">dropped his campaign<\/a> just 30 days after launching.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4656578\/who-is-running-replace-lindsey-graham-senate\/\">HERE\u2019S WHO IS RUNNING TO REPLACE LINDSEY GRAHAM IN THE SENATE<\/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<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the late Sen. Graham died on July 11, Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Nordone to serve out the remainder of his unexpired term. As Graham had already won his primary for the regular 2026 election in June, the state is holding a special Republican primary on Aug. 11 to fill the nominee slot.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The winner of the special GOP primary will take on Democratic candidate Dr. Annie Andrews in November. Cook Political Report <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cookpolitical.com\/senate\/race\/488671\">rates<\/a> the race as solidly Republican.<\/p>\n<\/div>\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<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mark Sanford runs for Graham&#8217;s Senate seat in SC primary<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2634163,"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\/2023\/12\/5f00921450098e1c337d2a07563fabd8-scaled-e1777565653940.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[32283,76818,5894,3740],"class_list":["post-2634162","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-lindsey-graham","tag-mark-sanford","tag-politics","tag-senate"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/5f00921450098e1c337d2a07563fabd8-scaled-e1777565653940.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2634162","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=2634162"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2634162\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2634166,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2634162\/revisions\/2634166"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2634163"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2634162"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2634162"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2634162"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}