U.S. Representative Russell Fry has endorsed Senator Darline Graham in South Carolina’s Republican Senate primary runoff. Fry announced his support on Friday, citing Graham’s capacity to advance President Donald Trump’s agenda and her understanding of the challenges faced by everyday people as key reasons for his backing.
Fry, who finished third in the special primary held on Tuesday, stated that President Trump requires dedicated allies in the Senate who will consistently deliver results, expressing his belief that Darline Graham embodies this quality. Graham and U.S. Representative Ralph Norman advanced to the August 25 runoff election.
This endorsement follows similar support for Graham from other prominent Republicans, including Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina and former President Trump. Trump’s early endorsement was instrumental in Fry’s own congressional career.
Darline Graham was appointed to serve the remainder of her late brother, Senator Lindsey Graham’s, term after his sudden passing last month. She then decided to run for the seat, securing the largest share of votes in the primary but not the majority needed to avoid a runoff. The special primary, occurring just one month after Lindsey Graham’s death, led to a condensed and at times intense campaign involving ten candidates.
Much of the campaign’s heated exchanges involved Fry and a political action committee supporting Darline Graham. This committee ran advertisements highlighting that Trump, who initially called Fry an outstanding choice for the seat, ultimately endorsed Graham instead. Both Fry and Graham have frequently referenced their humble beginnings to connect with voters on everyday issues, a commonality Fry noted he shares with Graham.
Fry remarked that Darline Graham, 62, understands struggle, perseverance, and resilience, having experienced a difficult upbringing and being adopted by her older brother after their parents died young. He believes these experiences have shaped her and provide her with a genuine understanding of the challenges facing South Carolina families.
In 2022, Trump campaigned for Fry during his initial House campaign, which saw the state lawmaker unseat a five-term Republican congressman who had voted to impeach Trump the previous year.
A Republican strategist and former senior adviser to Senator Scott, Matt Gorman, suggested that Fry’s endorsement of Graham is a strategic move for the 41-year-old, two-term congressman. Gorman indicated that Fry is a smart individual with a promising career ahead, and aligning with President Trump or Senator Scott is a sensible political decision. He added that Fry would likely have another opportunity to seek the Senate seat in the future.
The winner of the Republican runoff will proceed to the November general election to face Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews. A Democrat has not won a U.S. Senate seat in South Carolina in several decades.
