South Carolina Republican Darline Graham announced Monday that she will run for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by her late brother, Lindsey Graham, entering a crowded field of hopefuls.
Graham confirmed her decision in an interview with Sean Hannity, stating, "I'm in." She indicated that she felt considerable pressure to enter the race and expressed a sense of peace about the decision, acknowledging the challenges ahead.
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who had previously suggested she might enter the race, announced on Monday that she would not be seeking the Senate seat. Mace stated her decision was not due to backing down but because her current focus is on a different pursuit of justice.
"I want to be straight with you, I'm not running for the U.S. Senate, not because I'm backing down from a fight, but because the one I'm already in matters right now," Mace said in a video statement. "I'm not chasing another title, I'm chasing justice, justice for me, justice for other women and justice for every little girl who was told to stay silent."
Mace's decision comes as other South Carolina Republicans, including Reps. Ralph Norman and Russell Fry, have also committed to running for the Senate seat. Fry announced his candidacy on Monday morning, hours after Norman entered the race.
Mace and Norman have publicly criticized Fry's candidacy, arguing that his bid for the Senate could jeopardize the Republican Party's slim majority in the House of Representatives. They contend that if Fry were to win the Senate race, he would vacate his House seat, potentially triggering a special election that could be decided after May, thereby narrowing the GOP's majority.
"If you're running for two offices at once, you've already told us who you are," Mace stated. "That's not about politics anymore — that's about power. You're either with the people you serve or you're not."
Norman echoed these concerns, noting that Fry's candidacy "could leave his seat vacant until May 18th." He added that this situation would leave Fry's constituents unrepresented and put the House at risk of being led by Democrats.
Fry's campaign, however, defended his decision, with a source stating that his entry into the race provides voters with a choice rather than a coronation. The campaign also highlighted Fry's legislative accomplishments.
South Carolina law permits candidates to appear on the ballot for multiple offices. If Fry wins both his House race and the Senate nomination, he would be required to choose one, triggering another special election for his House seat.
South Carolina Senate President Thomas Alexander and House Speaker Murrell Smith acknowledged in a statement that the special election has "highlighted issues in South Carolina law" and indicated that legislative leaders intend to address these issues in the coming weeks.