S.C. Chapin.Sen. Lindsey Graham is facing a GOP primary challenge from former South Carolina Lt. Gov. Andr Bauer, who claims the incumbent isn’t conservative enough to serve the state.
Bauer has been a longstanding supporter of President Donald Trump and is a wealthy businessman. His campaign sets up a 2018 rematch with Graham, a four-term senator who has a tumultuous history with Trump but who has received Trump’s reelection endorsement.
Bauer has characterized himself as an America First conservative who is dedicated to upholding what he believes to be the core principles of South Carolina conservatism.
On Tuesday night, Bauer told The Associated Press, “I think Graham has been there too long and he votes like it.” I am certain that I am conservative, and I do not believe that he is.
The fiercest political rivalry occurs in GOP primaries since Republicans control the majority of South Carolina’s statewide elected offices.
Graham has already been the target of right-wing primary candidates, who have accused him of caving in to Democrats on everything from immigration to climate change. However, he also adheres to Republican national security principles. Graham called on Trump to fully support Israel and eliminate Iran’s nuclear program prior to last month’s U.S. raid on Iranian sites.
At least one other Republican has declared a primary challenge, and Grahamk began off his reelection campaign in February.
He has already gotten Trump’s support. Chris LaCivita, who co-managed Trump’s 2024 campaign, was named a senior adviser by Graham’s team last week. Graham’s campaign spokesperson, Abby Zilch, stated on Tuesday that the senator had received Trump’s full and unqualified support, adding that Bauer has dedicated his professional life to pursuing titles in order to boost his ego.
According to Bauer, he recognized that Trump needed to leverage his connections on Capitol Hill to push his legislative agenda, such as the tax cuts and spending measure that was presented to the Senate Budget Committee, which Graham heads, and passed the chamber earlier Tuesday.
According to Bauer, Trump must work to pass his bills. I understand what you have to do, Lindsey, as the head of a significant committee.
Since before Trump’s victory in the 2016 South Carolina GOP primary, Bauer has supported him. During the launch ceremony for his 2024 campaign in South Carolina, Trump referred to Bauer, who was a member of his state leadership committee, as a buddy of his who could, in my opinion, run for and win nearly any office.
Before becoming the youngest lieutenant governor in the nation in 2002 at the age of 33, Bauer was a member of the South Carolina Assembly. After serving two terms, he made a failed attempt to become governor in 2010, coming in last in a four-way GOP primary that Nikki Haley finally won.
In the newly formed 7th District of South Carolina, Bauer ran for Congress two years later but lost a GOP runoff to eventual Representative Tom Rice.
Bauer said he would put his own money into the campaign and looked forward to going back on the trail when asked how much he would commit.
Bauer declared, “I’m going to cover this state like the dew covers Dixie.” I believe there will be a movement.
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You can contact Kinnard at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP.
