Mark Sanford joins a crowded field of Republican candidates seeking to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the late Lindsey Graham.
Mark Sanford has officially launched a bid for the U.S. Senate seat in South Carolina, joining a competitive field of Republican contenders. The former governor and congressman entered the race to succeed the late Lindsey Graham, citing the nation's growing debt as a primary motivator for his candidacy. Sanford, a known fiscal conservative, emphasized that the country is at a financial tipping point and expressed concern over the pace of national borrowing. While Sanford is a prominent Republican, he is not the only candidate vying for the nomination. Darline Graham Nordone, who received a "complete and total endorsement" from President Trump, is considered a frontrunner. Other notable candidates include Ralph Norman and Russell Fry, both of whom are positioning themselves as staunch allies of President Trump. The special Republican primary will take place on August 11. If no candidate secures a majority, a runoff will be held on August 25 to determine the winner of the seat.