GOP Candidates Enter South Carolina Senate Race Against Trump’s Choice
WHO:
IJR - Rep. Russell Fry (R-S.C.) announced his candidacy.
Fox News - Trump endorsed Darline Graham for the Senate seat.
WHAT:
Alternet - Trump-endorsed Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) is facing a challenge in the general election against incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA), trailing in early polls and facing a significant fundraising disadvantage.
Alternet - The Republican Party’s Senate super PAC, the Senate Leadership Fund, announced a $44 million investment in April for the winner's campaign in the Georgia Senate race.
Alternet - Collins has been accused by the House Ethics Committee of misusing taxpayer funds for campaign work and providing a no-show internship for his girlfriend.
Alternet - Collins' son-in-law has been reported to have posted Nazi imagery and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories on social media platforms.
IJR - Russell Fry is running for the Senate seat formerly held by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
Fox News - Ralph Norman and Russell Fry are entering the GOP primary race despite Trump's endorsement of Darline Graham.
WHERE:
IJR - The Senate seat is located in South Carolina.
WHEN:
IJR - The special GOP primary will be held on Aug. 11.
WHY:
Fox News - Republicans are defying Trump by entering the race against his handpicked successor.
HOW:
Fox News - Candidates are officially announcing their candidacies and entering the GOP primary.
(UPDATED July 20, 2026 23:17 UTC)
Rep. Mike Collins, endorsed by Trump, is facing a tough challenge in the general election against incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff, trailing in early polls and struggling with a significant fundraising disadvantage. The Senate Leadership Fund, a Republican Party super PAC, has committed $44 million to support the winner's campaign in this critical Georgia Senate race. Meanwhile, Collins is under scrutiny from the House Ethics Committee for allegedly misusing taxpayer funds and has faced backlash over his son-in-law's social media posts featuring Nazi imagery and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.
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(UPDATED July 20, 2026 17:28 UTC)
In a significant development, Representative Russell Fry from South Carolina has announced his candidacy for the Senate seat formerly held by the late Senator Lindsey Graham. Despite President Trump's endorsement of Darline Graham for the position, both Fry and Ralph Norman are entering the GOP primary race, which is set to take place on August 11. This move indicates a growing defiance among some Republicans against Trump's choice for the Senate seat.