Former President Donald Trump has indicated a potential preference for Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., as a long-term successor to the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, as South Carolina prepares for a special election to fill the vacant Senate seat.
Trump publicly praised Fry, calling him "outstanding" and "a very, very talented person." He recalled endorsing Fry in his successful 2022 bid for Congress, where he unseated Rep. Tom Rice, one of ten House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
"He took the place of somebody that was — I mean, he’s doing much better than the person that preceded him," Trump said of Fry in a recent interview. "He's been very popular in the state, so I think a name like Russell Fry is somebody you can watch out for and there are probably some others."
Politico reported that Fry has been in communication with the White House regarding a potential run for the Senate seat, positioning him as a leading contender for Trump's endorsement. Fry's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The special election is scheduled for August 11. In the interim, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Sen.-designate Darline Graham, the late senator's sister, to the seat. Trump expressed his belief that Graham would serve on an interim basis.
Other Republican lawmakers, including Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, are also reportedly considering campaigns for the seat. Both Mace and Norman had previously sought the GOP nomination for governor in South Carolina but were unsuccessful. Mentioned as a potential candidate for the interim appointment was Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, though she did not secure the Republican nomination for governor. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's former communications director, Mark Bednar, has emphasized the need for swift coordination between Trump and Governor McMaster for an interim appointment and to rally support around a Republican candidate for the special election, cautioning against internal party disputes.