Rep. Russell Fry enters South Carolina Senate race

Representative Russell Fry announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate on Monday, July 20, 2026, joining a rapidly expanding Republican field vying to succeed the late Senator Lindsey Graham. His entry came two days after his House colleague, Representative Ralph Norman, launched his own campaign, setting up a competitive primary that will test the influence of former President Donald Trump’s endorsement of the late senator’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone.

The special primary election is scheduled for August 11, with a filing period that opens on July 21 and closes at noon on July 28. The winner will advance to the November general election to face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, a pediatrician who was already challenging Graham before his death on July 11. If no candidate secures a majority in the primary, a runoff will be held on August 25.

In his announcement, Fry centered his campaign on economic concerns, stating that too many South Carolina families are struggling with high gas and grocery prices. He pledged to be a conservative fighter who delivers real results and positioned himself as a staunch ally of Trump, arguing that the best way to honor Graham’s legacy is to...