U.S. Rep. Russell Fry, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, has announced his candidacy for the special primary election to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the recent death of Senator Lindsey Graham. Fry's entry into the race may conflict with Trump's stated preference for Graham's sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to run for the position.
Trump publicly urged Nordone to enter the Republican special primary, calling her a "spectacular person" and "a true American patriot." He stated on Truth Social that he had personally asked her to run for the good of the nation and promised her his "complete and total endorsement."
Fry, 41, is currently running for reelection to his U.S. House seat and had already qualified for the general election ballot unopposed. His bid for the Senate nomination could create a vacancy in his own safe House seat, potentially imperiling House Speaker Mike Johnson's narrow Republican majority. If Fry were to win the Senate seat, it could affect control of the House by May, according to GOP colleague Nancy Mace.
Mace, who is also considering a Senate run, criticized Fry's decision, stating on X that "running for two offices at once" prioritizes power over serving constituents. She expressed concern that a sitting House member winning a Senate seat in November would "narrow an already razor-thin majority and puts the Speaker's gavel in play."
Other Republicans are also entering the race for Graham's Senate seat. Congressman Ralph Norman, who recently lost his bid for South Carolina governor, announced his candidacy last week. Outgoing Congresswoman Nancy Mace has also been signaling a potential run.
Following Graham's death, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham Nordone to temporarily fill the remainder of the Senate term. McMaster described her as an "extraordinary man's" sister and stated it was his honor to ask her to "finish his work."
Nordone expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and honor her brother's legacy but has not yet officially announced her candidacy for the full term. The special election to fill Graham's Senate seat is scheduled for August 11.