Overview
- Former governor and congressman Mark Sanford announced he is running for the U.S. Senate on Thursday, July 23, saying he wants to fight rising federal debt and revive the American dream.
- Darline Graham was appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster to fill her late brother Lindsey Graham’s seat and has declared she will seek a full term with President Donald Trump publicly urging and endorsing her.
- Candidate filing opened on July 21 and closes July 28, with a special Republican primary set for August 11 and a runoff on August 25 if no one wins a majority.
- The GOP field already includes U.S. Reps. Russell Fry and Ralph Norman, attorney Duke Buckner and businessman Mark Lynch, and the compressed calendar favors well-known figures and quick access to party resources.
- The primary winner will face Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews on November 3, and party committee coordination and rapid fundraising could determine who secures the November nomination and affects Senate balance.