Republicans defy Trump, jump into South Carolina Senate race despite his handpicked successor

President Donald Trump has made his pick to replace the late Sen.Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., but several Republicans eyeing his seat don’t care.A handful of hopefuls vying to win the Republican nomination in August to take the reins from Graham have already announced their intent to jump into the race, despite Trump throwing his endorsement power behind Sen.

Darline Graham, R-S.C., Graham’s sister who many believed to be a placeholder for the remainder of his term.Trump on Friday, after meeting with Graham in the Oval Office, announced his "complete and total endorsement" for her to get into the race.TIM SCOTT SAYS HE'D 'LOVE TO SEE' FOX NEWS HOST REPLACE LINDSEY GRAHAMPresident Donald Trump addresses the nation from the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on July 16, 2026.(Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)"I asked Darline, for the Good of our Nation, to run for the U.S.

Senate in the Special Republican Primary on Tuesday, August 11, 2026," Trump said."I hope Darline does this, in that there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey."She has not yet committed, and the coveted Trump endorsement has not stopped Rep.

Ralph Norman, R-S.C., businessman Mark Lynch or the latest to jump in, Rep.Russell Fry, R-S.C., from entering the fray.Fry, in particular, was just last week lauded by Trump as someone to watch.

He also had spent time speaking with White House operatives about launching a bid, and a Trump endorsement seemed all but guaranteed.GRAHAM'S DEATH IGNITES GOP SCRAMBLE FOR SENATE SEAT AS TRUMP HINTS HE ALREADY HAS A FAVORITEA source in Fry’s political orbit told Fox News Digital that the lawmaker has "accomplished more than all the potential candidates combined," having passed three bills in his first four years in Congress."This is really about giving voters a choice and not a coronation," they said.Still, Fry is not running away from Trump.In his campaign announcement, Fry noted, "Of the many things Lindsey Gra...