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U.S. Rep. Russell Fry threw his support behind Darline Graham on Friday in South Carolina’s competitive Republican Senate runoff, contending that her background and commitment to President Donald Trump’s priorities make her the right choice to fill the seat vacated by her late brother. Fry’s endorsement follows similar backing from Sen. Tim Scott and Trump himself, strengthening Graham’s position ahead of the Aug. 25 contest.
Graham and U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman advanced to the runoff after Tuesday’s special primary, where Fry finished third among 10 candidates competing for the nomination. The rapid timeline—conducted just one month after Sen. Lindsey Graham’s unexpected death—compressed the campaign into a particularly intense period of political maneuvering and rhetoric.
In a statement, Fry emphasized Graham’s qualifications for the Senate role. “President Trump needs fighters and allies in the Senate who will show up every day and get results,” he said, predicting she would deliver on that expectation. He highlighted her personal struggles and perseverance as formative experiences that shaped her understanding of working families’ challenges across South Carolina.
Darline Graham, 62, was appointed to finish her brother’s term and subsequently entered the race. She captured the largest vote share in Tuesday’s primary but fell short of the majority required to avoid a runoff. Her campaign has heavily emphasized her relationship with Trump, echoing the late senator’s close alliance with the former president.
Political strategist Matt Gorman suggested Fry’s move was a pragmatic calculation for the 41-year-old two-term congressman. Gorman noted that Fry, whose 2022 House victory was buoyed by Trump’s support, faced risk in crossing either Trump or Scott, two of South Carolina’s most influential Republicans. The endorsement likely protects Fry’s political future and standing within the party establishment.
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