In the wake of Lindsey Graham's sudden passing, South Carolina is gearing up for a special primary election to choose his replacement. The race is a whirlwind of activity, with 10 candidates crammed into a fortnight's campaign period. The Republican Party's special primary on Tuesday will determine who advances to the runoff, with polling suggesting a likely outcome. The winner will face Annie Andrews, the Democratic nominee and a pediatrician, in November's general election.
What makes this election particularly intriguing is the local nature of South Carolina politics. As Eaddy Roe Willard, a longtime Republican activist, notes, "South Carolina politics is very local." This is exemplified by the intense personal interactions between candidates and voters. Russell Fry, a Republican representative, shook hands at Savage Craft Ale Works in West Columbia on Friday, while Darline Graham, Lindsey's sister and interim senator, greeted voters at Lizard's Thicket breakfast restaurant just two miles away on Monday.
Darline Graham has the endorsement of Donald Trump, a significant advantage in a fiercely independent state like South Carolina. Trump's support is important, but it's not decisive, according to Frank Tiller, the chair of the Spartanburg County Republican Party. Tiller highlights the unique nature of South Carolina politics, where "everybody here is fiercely independent."
The compressed election cycle adds complexity to the usual retail politics. With limited time to get to know the candidates, voters are calling around to find out who to support. This is a challenge for all candidates, but particularly for those with substantial campaign infrastructure, like Ralph Norman and Mark Sanford.
Norman, a wealthy real estate developer and prominent member of the House Freedom Caucus, has a strong campaign network. He served in the US House of Representatives since 2017 and ran for South Carolina governor earlier this year. Sanford, a former governor with two stints in the US House, is also a well-known figure in South Carolina politics. Both Norman and Sanford have campaigned as fiscal hawks, highlighting culture war issues.
One notable candidate is Mark Lynch, a businessman who ran for the seat in June and is now campaigning as a conservative outsider with a populist platform. Lynch's second campaign this year showcases the competitive nature of South Carolina's political landscape.
The winner of the special primary will face Annie Andrews, a pediatrician and the Democratic nominee, in November. The election's compressed timeline and local focus make it a fascinating contest, with the outcome potentially shaping South Carolina's political future.
