Norman advances to runoff despite Trump backing rival Graham
U.S. Rep. Russell Fry on Friday endorsed Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina’s Republican Senate primary runoff, throwing his support behind the appointed senator ahead of an Aug. 25 contest against U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman to determine the party’s nominee.
Graham was appointed to serve the remainder of her late brother Sen. Lindsey Graham’s current term after he died suddenly last month. She subsequently opted to run for the seat in her own right.
In Tuesday’s special primary, Graham won the largest share of votes but fell short of the majority threshold needed to claim the Republican nomination outright, according to the Associated Press. Norman advanced to the runoff alongside her despite Trump’s endorsement of his rival ahead of the primary.
Fry, who finished third in Tuesday’s primary, cited Graham’s ability to advance President Donald Trump’s agenda and her understanding of everyday people’s struggles as reasons for his endorsement. “President Trump needs fighters and allies in the Senate who will show up every day and get results,” Fry said. “I believe Darline Graham will be exactly that.”
Fry’s endorsement adds him to a list of prominent Republicans who have backed Graham. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and Trump had endorsed her before Tuesday’s primary, according to the Associated Press. Fry’s decision to back Graham rather than his House colleague leaves the two South Carolina U.S. House members on opposite sides of the Aug. 25 contest.