This Upstate Democrat is looking to oust Trump-backed Sen. Lindsey Graham
An Upstate Democrat, who’s an engineer and businessman, is making a bid for the U.S. Senate.
Lee Johnson, of Greenville, announced Wednesday his bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican with President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
Johnson, who runs a construction engineering business, said he will not take any political action committee money and would only serve two terms if elected.
“I wasn’t born into politics, I was born in a construction family, operating heavy equipment before I could drive,” Johnson said. “My family taught me how to build things — like roads and bridges — and I’ve carried that with me everywhere: from construction sites and factory floors to boardrooms.”
Johnson’s wife, Shauna Johnson, ran for state House last year where she unsuccessfully challenged House Ways and Means Chairman Bruce Bannister, R-Greenville.
If Johnson wins the Democratic nomination, he faces an uphill battle in the general election. South Carolina is a reliably Republican state that produced nearly 18-point victories for Gov. Henry McMaster in 2022 and Trump in 2024.
Whoever wins the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate and governor will be tasked with trying to excite Democratic voters to participate in the 2026 general election to try to help downstate Democrats potentially flip state House seats.
“Lindsey Graham built a career for himself,” Johnson said. “I’ve spent my life building for others.”
Graham won his fourth term in 2020 when he defeated Democrat Jaime Harrison by 10 points despite Harrison raising more than $130 million for his campaign.
Despite having Trump’s endorsement, Graham has been viewed by some as potentially vulnerable. He was widely booed at a Trump rally in July 2023 in Pickens. Graham also has a 35% approval rating of all South Carolinians with 44% disapproving of his job, according to a Winthrop University Poll released last month.
Graham, however, has a 61% approval rating among Republicans.
Still Graham has a financial advantage to start the 2026 campaign. Graham already reported $15 million cash on hand at the end of March. He also has the backing of McMaster and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott.
Graham has a primary challenge from Greenville businessman Mark Lynch, who has taken out a $5 million loan in an effort to unseat the state’s senior senator.
Ethan Holliman, of Conway, also has filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission to run as a Republican for the seat and has loaned his campaign $20,000.
Two other Democrats have filed with the FEC to raise money for bid.
Kyle Freeman, of Columbia, has raised $32,000, which includes a loan of more than $23,000.
Catherine Bruce Fleming, has filed with the FEC, but has not reported any donations for a campaign.
Official filing with the State Elections Commission to appear on the ballot isn’t until March of 2026.
This story was originally published May 14, 2025 at 8:00 AM.
