Rep. Russell Fry has rapidly emerged as a leading conservative contender in South Carolina’s crowded special Republican primary for the U.S. Senate, collecting broad statewide endorsements and reporting strong early fundraising as conservative activists rally behind the Myrtle Beach congressman.
The special Republican primary, called after the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham earlier this month, is scheduled for Aug. 11, with early voting beginning Aug. 5. If no candidate surpasses 50% of the vote on primary day, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff on Aug. 25.
Momentum, Money and Endorsements
Fry’s campaign says it raised more than $500,000 in its first week and has built an expansive statewide leadership network. Campaign officials frame the early fundraising and endorsements as evidence of growing enthusiasm among grassroots conservatives for what Fry calls a new generation of America First leadership.
According to his campaign, Fry has secured endorsements from more than 40 Republican legislators representing every region of South Carolina — one of the largest legislative coalitions assembled in the contest. Supporters say those endorsements provide crucial local organization, volunteer networks and credibility that can be decisive in a low-turnout special election and in the event of a runoff.
Why Fry Is Gaining Traction
Fry represents South Carolina’s 7th Congressional District along the Grand Strand and the Pee Dee region. He first drew national attention in 2022 when he defeated incumbent Rep. Tom Rice in the GOP primary; Rice was among the small number of House Republicans who voted to impeach then-President Donald Trump following Jan. 6, 2021. Fry campaigned as a staunch Trump ally, won the primary handily, and has maintained a consistently conservative voting record in Congress — credentials his supporters say align with the state’s Republican base.
Opponents And Republican Dynamics
Fry’s principal opponents include interim Sen. Darline Graham — Lindsey Graham’s sister, appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster — Rep. Ralph Norman and former Gov. Mark Sanford. While Darline Graham entered the race with name recognition and the advantage of incumbency, some conservative activists expressed reservations about her lack of prior involvement in conservative politics and questioned whether her early comments signaling emphasis on health care and education would resonate with the state’s primary electorate.
Ralph Norman remains a conservative presence but has seen diminished influence among some GOP circles after publicly endorsing Nikki Haley in the recent presidential contest. Mark Sanford is widely regarded as a diminished factor in statewide Republican politics.
“South Carolina doesn't need another career politician who goes to Washington and forgets who sent them. They need a fighter,” Fry said as he announced the endorsements.
List Of South Carolina Legislators Endorsing Russell Fry
Senators: J.D. Chaplin; Greg Hembree; Carlisle Kennedy; Matt Leber; Jeff Zell.
Representatives: Jeff Bradley, Gary Brewer, Case Brittain, Micah Caskey, Neal Collins, Brandon Cox, Heather Ammons Crawford, Sylleste Davis, Adam Duncan, Cal Forrest, Craig Gagnon, Gil Gatch, Val Guest, Brandon Guffey, Patrick Haddon, Kevin Hardee, Lee Hewitt, Davey Hiott, Harriet Holman, Jeff Johnson, Brian Lawson, Randy Ligon, Phillip Lowe, David Martin, Tim McGinnis, Cody Mitchell, Scott Montgomery, Mike Neese, Brandon Newton, Melissa Oremus, Heath Sessions, Carla Schuessler, Bill Taylor, Chris Wooten, Richie Yow.
Political observers note that legislative endorsements often translate into local organizing strength that can be pivotal in special primaries and runoffs. With early voting set to begin in less than a week, Fry’s expanding coalition has fueled speculation that he could be one of the top two finishers and potentially the consensus conservative alternative in the race.
Reporting by John Gizzi for Newsmax.
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