After Trump endorsement, SC GOP leaders backing Fry over Rice in Congressional race
South Carolina Republican lawmakers are backing state Rep. Russell Fry over incumbent U.S. Rep. Tom Rice in the hotly contested Congressional race, they announced Wednesday.
That support comes after former President Donald Trump endorsed Fry on Tuesday.
“I never tell people who to vote for, but if you want to know who I’m going to vote for, I’m voting for Russell,” House Speaker Jay Lucas, of Hartsville, told reporters at a press conference Wednesday morning.
Fry hosted the press conference to discuss his endorsement from Trump and said winning his backing was an acknowledgment that S.C. Republicans are making progress on key conservative issues. Trump recognized the efforts he and other lawmakers have made in recent years, he said.
“What was really interesting about our conversations together, and really the purpose for why I’m gathered with some of my colleagues in the House here today, is that he noticed the things South Carolina is doing,” Fry said.
He cited Republicans’ recent successes in passing a looser open carry gun law and tighter restrictions on abortion. Fry also said receiving Trump’s backing was “cool.”
“It was incredibly cool to receive that endorsement, and I’m excited about the opportunity to represent the seventh congressional district in Washington,” he said.
State of the race
Trump endorsing Fry is likely to shift the race for the Pee Dee’s seat in congress significantly. The endorsement should aid Fry with fundraising, and could help coalesce Trump’s base around the Surfside Beach representative.
The race is in the national spotlight because Rice last year voted to impeach Trump for his role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Rice has argued repeatedly that he supports Trump’s policies but believes the GOP should move away from the man himself. But his vote, and that stance, has drawn a number of challengers into the Republican primary race, some of whom have had significant fundraising success.
Rice still maintains a commanding lead over his opponents in terms of fundraising, but challengers have vowed to catch up in coming weeks. He currently has $1.88 million in the bank to spend on this race, while Fry has $327,000 on hand.
Trump’s endorsement has faced opposition from some Horry County conservatives, a sign that Fry isn’t necessarily Rice’s top challenger.
For his part, Rice has brushed off Trump’s endorsement announcement. Rice called Fry and other candidates pining for the endorsement “a little embarrassing” in a statement issued Tuesday.
“I’m all about Trump’s policy,” he said. “But (an) absolute pledge of loyalty, to a man that is willing to sack the Capitol to keep his hold on power, is more than I can stomach.”
When Republicans like Trump aren’t in office, Fry argued, it’s up to state lawmakers like himself to push forward policies that conservatives want to see. That was a key reason Trump endorsed him over other candidates, he said.
“He notices things that are going on in states, that we are the ones ... pushing back against that federal overreach,” Fry said. “... So we need to continue doing those things.”
Fry added that he is looking forward to Trump’s help in the race.
“We welcome any help the president will give,” he said. “I think he is very engaged in this race and in races across the country because he truly believes in the American dream and fighting for the American worker.”
SC GOP support
State GOP leaders including Lucas, Gil Gatch, Phil Lowe, Bill Taylor, Lin Bennett, Chip Huggins and Jason Elliot stood alongside Fry at his press conference.
“I’ve seen this man work, I’ve seen what he does; I think he would be good for Washington,” Lucas said. “Washington could stand a few more Russell Fry’s and many more of these folks standing in this group.”
Fry said he’s worth sending to Washington D.C. in place of Rice because he’ll both vote for GOP issues and weigh in on “tough” and “meaty” issues. One such issue, he said, was backing Trump during his second impeachment. Fry called Rice an “outlier” among Republicans.
“This election is about restoring trust in our congressman,” Fry said. “And what the voters have said since last year about this time is that they no long trust (Rice) to faithfully execute his job.”
This story was originally published February 2, 2022 at 1:29 PM with the headline "After Trump endorsement, SC GOP leaders backing Fry over Rice in Congressional race."
