U.S. Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC), who lost the GOP gubernatorial primary to Attorney General Alan Wilson (who also beat Donald Trump’s first pick for the job, Lt. Gov. Pamela Everett), complained on social media about U.S. Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC) after Fry announced that he’s throwing his hat in the ring to replace the late Lindsey Graham in the U.S. Senate.
[NOTE: Fry’s campaign confirmed that he will continue running for his House seat as well as in the special Senate election.]
Mace wrote: “If you’re running for two offices at once, you’ve already told us who you are. That’s not about politics anymore – that’s about power. You’re either with the people you serve or you’re not.”
If you’re running for two offices at once, you’ve already told us who you are. That’s not about politics anymore – that’s about power.
You’re either with the people you serve or you’re not.
And make no mistake about the math: a sitting House member who wins the South Carolina…
— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) July 20, 2026
Mace added: “And make no mistake about the math: a sitting House member who wins the South Carolina Senate in November vacates his Republican House seat until next May. That narrows an already razor-thin majority and puts the Speaker’s gavel in play. I will never hand Hakeem Jeffries that gift. This is an escalation that harms our country, our state and our values at such an important time in our nation’s history.”
South Carolina, I’m in! I’m running for the U.S. Senate.
Too many South Carolina families are struggling to make ends meet. High gas prices and soaring grocery costs are hurting hardworking people.
We need a conservative fighter in the Senate who delivers real results. I will… pic.twitter.com/bVLHSt1hgB
— Russell Fry (@RussellFrySC) July 20, 2026
[NOTE: President Trump has endorsed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham, to seek the full term in a special election. U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, also chimed in with support, writing: “Darline has so far been off to a remarkable start.” He added, “Why not her?”]
Mace, who is not seeking reelection to the House, has not definitively ruled out a run for Graham’s seat in the upcoming special primary election. According to a new Emerson College poll of South Carolina Republican voters, Mace (and Everett) both received 10 percent support. Fry received 9 percent and U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) showed the highest level of support with 16 percent.
It’s official! I’m running to represent the people of South Carolina in the U.S. Senate because we need a fighter who will stand with President Trump and carry on Lindsey Graham’s legacy! I’ve spent years fighting for the Palmetto State in the state house, in Congress, and now I…
— Ralph Norman (@RalphNorman) July 18, 2026