Candidates vying for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham's seat in the Senate will have the opportunity to define themselves on the debate stage Monday. The debate will feature a mix of untested fresh blood, lawmakers eager to ascend, and candidates who have failed to launch, all hoping to convince South Carolinians that they have what it takes to take over for Graham.
Nearly 10 candidates have entered the race for the suddenly vacant seat, but politicos in South Carolina believe that only a few are true contenders and have the most to prove during the televised debate. This is seen as a critical moment for the candidates to showcase their abilities and demonstrate whether they can handle the job.
The key candidates to watch are Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., who was appointed to take her brother's seat and has received President Donald Trump's endorsement. Also in the running are Reps. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., and Russell Fry, R-S.C., as well as former Gov. Mark Sanford.
The South Carolina GOP's criteria have allowed Graham, Norman, Sanford, and former primary opponent Mark Lynch to qualify for the debate stage. While Graham may benefit from her brother's last name, she lacks a strong record to back her claims. Fry, on the other hand, has the potential to gain the most among the competitors, as he lacks statewide name recognition and campaign infrastructure.
According to a political consultant, Russell Fry needs this debate more than any other candidate because he has to work hard to establish himself statewide and demonstrate that he can do for the entire state what he has done for the 7th Congressional District. A strong debate performance could be crucial for Fry to gain momentum in the campaign.
