LEXINGTON, S.C. — All nine Republicans running to fill the U.S. Senate seat held by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham spoke to more than 400 voters Saturday at River Bluff High School in Lexington, four days before early voting opens in the special primary.
The Aug. 11 primary will narrow a field that includes two sitting congressmen, a former governor and Graham’s sister, who was appointed to the seat last month. Among them is U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman of Rock Hill, who has represented the 5th District since 2017. The district is anchored in York County and takes in Tega Cay, Fort Mill and the rest of the fast growing Charlotte suburbs, running south to Kershaw County and parts of Sumter County.
Sen. Darline Graham, who was sworn in July 14 to serve out the remainder of her brother’s term, made her first campaign appearance at the event. She told the crowd she had never wanted a political career and entered the race at the urging of President Donald Trump, who has endorsed her.
“I certainly never expected to be on this stage, giving this stump speech,” Graham said.
Lindsey Graham died July 11 in Washington of an aortic tear. His funeral services in Washington and South Carolina were held only days before Saturday’s event, and his sister acknowledged that she has not spent decades in politics. She argued instead that she understands how federal budget and health care debates land on families, and she reiterated that Trump asked her to run.
Where the candidates agreed and split
Each candidate drew a speaking slot in a Friday drawing and had six minutes on stage, followed by a single question from a River Bluff student.
Nearly every candidate used part of that time to back the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement push and to call for cuts to federal spending. Several also pressed for passage of the SAVE America Act, a voting measure that would add nationwide voter identification requirements and require proof of citizenship to register. The bill passed the House and has stalled in the Senate. Lindsey Graham was a co-sponsor, and it was the first bill his sister signed on to after being sworn in. Norman has made its passage a centerpiece of his campaign.
The clearest split came over the war with Iran. Former Gov. Mark Sanford said the president should have come to Congress for authorization, and former Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark McBride said the United States should pull out entirely. Both positions break from the late senator, who publicly claimed credit for shaping Trump’s decision to strike Iran. Norman took the closer line to Lindsey Graham, calling for a strong military and peace through strength.
Sanford, mounting another comeback after a halted congressional bid earlier this year, returned to the warning about deficits and debt that has defined his public career. U.S. Rep. Russell Fry, a two term House member from the 7th District, talked about his family’s modest beginnings and credited faith and hard work.
Walterboro attorney Duke Buckner called for barring foreign nationals from owning land in the United States and said buyers and renters should have to show proof of citizenship. Lexington County inventor Sam Shepherd said the country should stop sending humanitarian aid abroad while voicing support for Israeli forces in the war with Hamas.
Also on the ballot are Spartanburg businessman Mark Lynch and retired Air Force officer Glenda Gail Parker.
Straw poll and voter reaction
After the speeches, attendees lined up for boxed lunches and an informal straw poll. Of the 265 people who took part, Darline Graham finished first with 25%, followed by Fry at 23% and Norman at 20%.
Voters interviewed afterward described a field that was still wide open. Some said Graham’s appointment and the backing of her brother’s longtime staff made her the natural successor. Others said they wanted a candidate with a record in Congress and were leaning toward Norman, pointing to his time in the House without a long Washington tenure. Several attendees said hearing from the lesser known candidates had widened rather than narrowed their list.
The event was co-hosted by the South Carolina Republican Party, Republican gubernatorial nominee Alan Wilson and the Lexington One school district’s Center for Law and Global Policy.
What comes next
Five candidates who met the state party’s polling threshold will debate Monday at 7 p.m. Fry, Darline Graham, Lynch, Norman and Sanford are scheduled to take part in the one hour broadcast, which will air and stream live on Gray Media stations across the state.
A three day early voting window opens Wednesday. The special primary is Aug. 11, with a runoff set for Aug. 25 if no candidate clears 50%. The Republican nominee will face Democrat Annie Andrews in the November general election.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
