Graham sails through GOP primary, set to defend seat against Democrat Harrison
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham won Tuesday’s Republican primary as he seeks his fourth term in the U.S. Senate.
Nearly an hour after polls closed, The Associated Press called the race for Graham who faced three challengers in the GOP Primary.
With 724 of 2,261 precincts reporting, Graham was leading with 70.42% of the vote.
“I am deeply grateful and humbled by the trust placed in me by South Carolina Republicans, and I will not let them down,” Graham said.
Leading up to Tuesday’s vote, Graham was confident he would advance to the general election where he will face off with Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison.
“My support in the Republican Party is as wide and deep as it’s ever been,” Graham told reporters at his campaign office on Monday. “I’ve tried my best to represent the state’s interest in Washington with a level of commitment as well as understanding the way you treat people does matter. I’m very proud of the last six years.”
Graham was in Washington on Tuesday as he attended a Judiciary Committee hearing on law enforcement’s response to those exploiting COVID-19 to commit fraud.
Graham, of Seneca, had three challengers on Tuesday’s Republican ballot: Duke Buckner, of Walterboro, Michael LaPierre, of Pickens, and Joe Reynolds, of North Charleston.
Reynolds and LaPierre had previously never run for office.
Graham has raised $26.1 million, with $13.9 million cash on hand as of May 20. Graham has also spent $1.7 million on ad buys this year.
None of Graham’s Republican opponents raised more than $118,000 as of May 20, according to the Federal Elections Commission.
Graham’s GOP opponents spent a tiny fraction of what the incumbent spent ahead of Tuesday’s primary.
LaPierre spent about $33,000 and Buckner spent $350 on radio advertising, according to Advertising Analytics.
“The November election will be one of the most consequential in our history, and it will provide voters with a stark choice between the Democrats’ socialist agenda or security and prosperity through free enterprise and security,” Graham said.
Like Graham, Harrison is expected to have a sizable campaign bank account as he has proven to be a highly capable fundraiser.
Harrison has broken statewide Democratic fundraising records previously during this cycle since entering the race. He also outraised Graham in recent months.
Harrison who has raised $19.2 million during this cycle through May 20, has already spent $5.9 million on advertising, according to Advertising Analytics.
“Republicans, Democrats, and Independents in South Carolina know that the principled, statesman Lindsey Graham of the past has been replaced with a person more focused on political games than on fixing the longstanding issues plaguing our state,” Harrison said in a statement on Tuesday night. “Lindsey is in for a tough fight, and he knows it.”
This story will be updated.
This story was originally published June 9, 2020 at 7:55 PM.
