Rep. Russell Fry (R-S.C.) has thrown his support behind Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) in the upcoming Republican runoff for South Carolina's open Senate seat, a contest that will determine the party's nominee to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Fry, who finished third in the primary and failed to qualify for the runoff, issued a statement Friday urging his backers to unite behind Graham. “President Trump needs fighters and allies in the Senate who will show up every day and get results. I believe Darline Graham will be exactly that,” he said. “I'm asking everyone who supported our campaign to join me in supporting Darline Graham for the United States Senate.”
The endorsement comes as Graham, who was appointed to the seat after her brother's unexpected death in early July, faces Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) in the runoff. Graham led the primary with 32.7 percent of the vote, while Norman took 24.6 percent, according to Decision Desk HQ. Fry trailed by roughly 4 percentage points.
President Trump had initially signaled openness to backing Fry but ultimately threw his support behind Graham. In an Aug. 10 statement, Graham said she is “100 percent behind” the president and that Trump has embraced her campaign. She also has the financial backing of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).
Graham, a former disability rights advocate with no prior political office, has quickly aligned herself with Trump's agenda. In her first weeks in office, she co-sponsored the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act, which would tighten voter ID requirements. She has also broken with her late brother's position on the filibuster, saying, “I am all for, this is where I differ from my brother, getting rid of the filibuster to get this done, because eventually the Democrats are going to get rid of it anyway.”
The runoff is scheduled for later this month, and the winner will face the Democratic nominee in the general election. Fry's endorsement could prove pivotal in consolidating conservative support behind Graham, especially as Norman seeks to position himself as the more staunchly conservative option.
Political observers note that Fry's backing may help Graham shore up support among the party's grassroots, particularly those who backed Fry's failed bid. The race has drawn national attention, with Trump's endorsement and the NRSC's involvement underscoring the stakes for Republicans in maintaining the seat.
Graham's campaign has emphasized her commitment to Trump's priorities, and she has sought to contrast her record with Norman's, who has served in the House since 2017. Norman has highlighted his conservative voting record and his opposition to government spending, while Graham has leaned on her status as a political outsider and her brother's legacy.
As the runoff approaches, both candidates are expected to ramp up their campaigning, with Fry's endorsement likely to be a key talking point for Graham. The outcome will signal the direction of the South Carolina GOP and set the stage for a competitive general election race.
