Mark Sanford Joins South Carolina Senate Race

Former congressman and South Carolina governor Mark Sanford, known for being a Republican critic of Donald Trump, announced his candidacy for the Senate on Thursday. This makes him the latest notable Republican entering the race to fill the late Senator Lindsey Graham’s seat, amidst a growing list of candidates backed by Trump.

In a video announcement, Sanford stated, “We are at a tipping point, which is why I decided to run for the United States Senate. As you think about your family’s future, I want you to consider my achievements in Congress and as governor.”

Senator Darin Graham, who was appointed last week to complete his late brother’s term, confirmed during a Fox News interview that he plans to serve a full six-year term. This announcement came just days after he met with Trump, who encouraged him to run and pledged his “full and complete support.”

However, Graham’s connection to Trump doesn’t deter other prominent South Carolina Republicans from entering the race.

Congressman Ralph Norman, who previously ran for the Republican gubernatorial nomination this year but did not succeed, declared his intent to run over the weekend. Following him was two-term Republican Rep. Russell Frey, along with businessman Mark Lynch, who aims to secure the Republican nomination after losing the recent primary to Graham by a significant margin.

The Republican special primary election is set for August 11. If no candidate secures over 50% of the votes, a runoff will occur on August 25 between the two leading candidates.

Sanford, who served three terms in the House during the 1990s and was governor from 2002 until 2010, faced setbacks in his political journey, including a personal scandal in 2009. Nonetheless, he made a comeback, regaining his congressional seat in 2012. Sanford cited concerns about national debt as a significant factor motivating his Senate run, expressing worry for future generations due to fiscal policies. “Our country is at a fiscal tipping point, and we cannot stand by while Washington adds $1 trillion to our debt every 100 days,” he remarked.

In contrast, candidates Frey and Norman have openly declared their support for Trump, emphasizing their intentions to align closely with the former president. Frey, portraying himself as a “MAGA warrior,” noted, “South Carolina doesn’t need just one senator. We need President Trump’s strongest ally in the U.S. Senate.” Norman also endorsed Trump’s legislative priorities during his campaign announcement.

While Graham enjoys substantial support, including from Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, Thune has yet to engage in this race, acknowledging Graham’s capability despite his relative inexperience.

According to experts, buoyed by Trump’s backing and her recognizable last name, Graham appears to be the frontrunner leading up to the Republican primary. The winner is expected to have a strong advantage against Democratic contender Annie Andrews in the heavily Republican state.

Although Trump’s endorsement can significantly benefit a candidate, its guarantees are, at best, uncertain. As Ryan Williams, a Republican strategist, noted, “Timing is crucial in politics. If you’re a candidate for the South Carolina House, now’s the time to run, regardless of presidential support.” He further commented that Norman and Frey are likely trying to align themselves with Trump to bolster their chances.

Sanford’s approach is more cautious, as he has steered clear of invoking Trump directly in his campaign materials.