Who is running for Lindsay Graham’s Senate seat?

COLUMBIA, S.C. - With the passing of longtime U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a new senator will be chosen to fill his seat in the 2026 midterm elections.

Graham has represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate since 2003.

Before him, the seat was held by Strom Thurmond for nearly 50 years, making an open-seat Senate race rare in the Palmetto State.

Several Republicans have already entered the race to determine who will face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in November.

Here are the three candidates who have announced their Senate campaigns so far:

Russell Fry

United States Representative Russell Fry announced Monday morning that he is seeking to become the next senator following the passing of Lindsey Graham.

On X, Rep. Fry said, “I will be your conservative MAGA candidate in the special primary Senate election this summer.”

Pres. Trump has previously suggested he could back a potential candidacy from Rep. Russell Fry.

Mark Lynch

A second-place finisher in this year’s primary, Mark Lynch announced his intention to run July 13, just over a day after Graham’s office confirmed the senator’s death.

“I’m committed to finishing what God has called us to since February of 2025: to bring South Carolina’s U.S. Senate seat back to TRUE conservative leadership for the Republican Party,” Lynch said in his announcement post.

Duke Buckner

On Friday, Duke Buckner announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate, becoming the second candidate to enter the race. Buckner, a Walterboro native, has run several unsuccessful campaigns over the past 10 years.

He lost to Jim Clyburn as the Republican nominee for South Carolina’s 6th Congressional District twice (2022 and 2024) and finished fourth in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in 2020.

“I am running because too many Americans are working harder and falling further behind,” Buckner said. “People should be able to afford a home, raise a family, and build a better life. We need to make it easier to build, expand opportunities in the skilled trades, and lower the cost of living.”

Ralph Norman

On Saturday, South Carolina Congressman Ralph Norman announced his candidacy for the United States Senate, seeking to become the next senator following the death of Lindsey Graham.

Norman is the third person to officially enter the race.

Norman’s announcement comes a month after his gubernatorial run came to an end, missing the runoff election behind Attorney General Alan Wilson and Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette.

Other potential candidates

Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham’s sister and interim U.S. senator in his place, has privately expressed interest in running for a full U.S. Senate term.

Graham sent a letter to South Carolina citizens, hinting at a potential run.

U.S. Rep. Russell Fry and former Gov. Mark Sanford are other potential candidates to watch.

What to look out for

Candidate filing begins July 21, and the field is expected to become clearer in the coming days as potential contenders decide whether to enter the race.

The special primary will be held Aug. 11 to determine who faces Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in the November general election.