The Shocking Entry
Most voters assume a Trump endorsement clears the field. Former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford proved that idea wrong this week. He launched a Senate bid despite President Trump giving his "complete and total endorsement" to Darline Graham. Graham is the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham. She was appointed last week to fill the empty seat. Sanford is a known critic of the President. Yet he decided to run anyway. That's a bold move.
Sanford called the current moment a "tipping point." He wants voters to look at his record in Congress. He also wants them to see his time as governor. He believes those roles show he can watch out for families. He is back in the ring. He's done it before.
Our country is at a financial tipping point, and I can't sit on the sidelines while Washington adds a trillion dollars to the debt every 100 days. I've spent my entire time in politics fighting this fight, and I'm running for U.S. Senate to keep the American dream alive for our… pic.twitter.com/q5ByORi0M3
— Mark Sanford (@MarkSanford) July 23, 2026
A Crowded Room
Sanford is not the only one ignoring the President's pick. Republican Rep. Ralph Norman announced his run this past weekend. Two-term GOP Rep. Russell Fry followed suit on Monday. Businessman Mark Lynch also said he will take another shot. Lynch lost to Lindsey Graham by nearly 30 points last month. The special Republican primary is set for Aug. 11. If no one gets 50%, a runoff happens on Aug. 25. The clock is ticking.
According to Fox News, Sanford pointed to the national debt as his main reason. He stated, "Our country is at a financial tipping point." He can't sit on the sidelines while Washington adds to the debt. He's worried for children. He said America is borrowing from the future faster than it is building. Unlike Sanford, Fry and Norman are Trump allies in the House. They are highlighting their support for the President.
🚨Just in: Former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford has officially announced that he is running in the South Carolina Senate Republican Primary Special Election
He says that his campaign will be focused on tackling America's mounting debt, deficit and government spending pic.twitter.com/YhkMIrRZo9
— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) July 23, 2026