South Carolina Republicans move to fill Graham Senate seat

South Carolina Republicans are moving quickly to fill the Senate seat left vacant by the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, who had been seeking a fifth term and was widely expected to win re-election in November.

Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, must appoint a temporary replacement to serve until early January, under South Carolina law. The same law sets an accelerated schedule for choosing a permanent Republican nominee for the seat, beginning with a filing period expected to open July 21 and close July 28.

A special Republican primary is scheduled for Aug. 11. If no candidate wins at least 50% of the vote, a runoff would be held two weeks later, on Aug. 25.

Graham’s death has left Republicans searching for both an interim senator and a candidate for the general election. He won the GOP Senate primary in June and had been expected to cruise to re-election.

President Donald Trump said Sunday that he already had someone in mind for the seat but declined to identify the person, saying it was too soon after Graham’s death.

“I have somebody that I think would be great, but I don’t want to say it now because it’s just, you know, it’s too soon with Lindsey,” Trump told NBC News’ “Meet the Press.” “I don’t want to even talk about anybody, but I do have somebody that I think is really good.”

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., who served alongside Graham, said he did not know whom McMaster may appoint. But he said he expected the governor to look at members of the state’s congressional delegation.

“I do know that there are at least one or two Congress members that I would expect Henry McMaster, our governor, to consider,” Scott told “Meet the Press.” He added that it is “hard to swallow that life moves so quickly, and the party doesn’t stop, ever.”

Scott said that regardless of who receives the temporary appointment, “I would imagine an open primary process would be in the best interest of South Carolinians.”

Several possible contenders are already being discussed. NBC News reported that Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., is strongly considering a run, citing a source familiar with her thinking. Mace ran unsuccessfully for governor in South Carolina’s June primary.

CBS News reported that Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette has also emerged as a potential contender. Evette ran for governor with the support of McMaster and Trump, but Trump later endorsed state Attorney General Alan Wilson shortly before last month’s Republican gubernatorial primary runoff. Evette ultimately lost to Wilson.

Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., has ruled out a Senate bid, saying he will remain in the House. In a post on X, Wilson said he had spoken with Trump about Graham.

“I was grateful to speak with President Trump today reminiscing about our mutual friend, Senator Lindsey Graham. I assured him my goal is to remain in the House to keep his two-vote majority for the American people!!!” Wilson wrote.

Mark Lynch, a South Carolina businessman who challenged Graham in the Republican Senate primary earlier this year, did not say whether he would run again. In a statement, he said the moment should not be focused on campaigning.

“While we had our political disagreements, today is not a day for politics,” Lynch said. “It is a day to recognize his decades of service and to pray for everyone who knew and loved him.”