Rep. Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican, announced Monday that she will not enter the race to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, declining a bid just hours after Graham's sister, Darline Graham, officially entered the contest. Mace's decision came in a video statement where she said she is focused on other battles, including what she described as seeking justice for herself and other women.
«I want to be straight with you, I'm not running for the U.S. Senate, not because I'm backing down from a fight, but because the one I'm already in matters right now,» Mace said. «I'm not chasing another title, I'm chasing justice, justice for me, justice for other women and justice for every little girl who was told to stay silent. That's where my focus is today, and that's where it's going to stay.»
Mace had strongly suggested in recent days that she would enter the race, but her withdrawal leaves the Republican primary field to at least three major candidates: Darline Graham, Rep. Ralph Norman, and Rep. Russell Fry. Businessman Mark Lynch has also publicly committed to running. The filing deadline for candidates is fast approaching, and the contest is shaping up to be a contentious battle within the Palmetto State's Republican Party.
Darline Graham, who was appointed to finish the remainder of her late brother's term, announced her decision to run for a full term during an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity. She acknowledged the pressure to take on the role but expressed confidence. «I feel like I can do it, I feel an inner peace about it,» Graham said. «Will it be difficult? Yes.» When asked if she had made a decision, she replied, «I'm in.» Her entry into the race follows a push from President Donald Trump, who has been actively involved in shaping the contest.
The addition of Graham to the roster of hopefuls is expected to shake up the race significantly. She will face off against Norman and Fry, both of whom have already launched their campaigns. Norman announced his candidacy Monday morning, followed by Fry later the same day. The rapid succession of announcements has intensified the competition and highlighted divisions within the state party.
Mace and Norman have both turned their criticism toward Fry, arguing that his candidacy could jeopardize the Republican Party's slim majority in the House of Representatives. Under South Carolina law, Fry is allowed to appear on the ballot for multiple offices simultaneously. He was unopposed in his primary election for South Carolina's 7th congressional district, meaning he could potentially win both the Senate nomination and his House seat. If he wins both, he would be forced to choose one, triggering a special election to fill his vacated House seat.
«That narrows an already razor-thin majority and puts the Speaker's gavel in play,» Mace said. «I will never hand Hakeem Jeffries that gift.» She added, «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.»
Norman echoed similar concerns, writing on X that Fry's candidacy «could leave his seat vacant until May 18th.» He argued, «This would leave his constituents unrepresented, jeopardize President Trump's agenda, and put the House at risk of being led by a Speaker Hakeem Jeffries. We can't let that happen!!»
A source in Fry's political orbit defended his decision, telling Fox News Digital that Fry 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,» the source said.
South Carolina state Sen. JD Chaplin, a spokesperson for Fry's campaign, also pushed back against criticism from Mace and Norman. «SC Republican voters soundly rejected Nancy and Ralph as recently as last month because conservatives are tired of career politicians who care more about their own social media than getting actual results for families,» Chaplin said.
The top two Republicans in the South Carolina Statehouse, Senate President Thomas Alexander and House Speaker Murrell Smith, issued a joint statement acknowledging that the upcoming special election has «highlighted issues in South Carolina law.» They said, «In the coming weeks, we intend to address these important issues so that we can provide the process available for our citizens.»
Mace's decision not to run comes after she finished a disappointing fifth out of five major candidates in last month's Republican primary for governor. She had launched a campaign for the gubernatorial nomination in August but failed to gain traction. Her focus now appears to be on her current role in the House and on personal legal matters, though she did not provide further details in her statement.
The race to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died earlier this year, has drawn national attention due to the potential impact on the balance of power in the Senate and the House. With the filing deadline looming, the field is expected to solidify in the coming days, and the primary contest is likely to be closely watched as a bellwether for the Republican Party's direction in South Carolina.