Sen. Lindsey Graham wins GOP primary, defeating wealthy challenger in South Carolina
NBC News • • general
Key Points:
- Sen. Lindsey Graham has won the Republican primary in South Carolina, overcoming multiple challengers, including self-funding businessman Mark Lynch who loaned his campaign $5 million.
- Graham’s campaign spent over $13 million on advertising and benefited from former President Trump's endorsement and public support, which helped counter Lynch’s attacks.
- Lynch criticized Graham for his long tenure and past clashes with Trump, while Graham’s campaign highlighted Lynch’s legal issues and portrayed him as a threat to GOP unity.
- On the Democratic side, pediatrician Annie Andrews won the primary and has criticized Graham as a "warmonger" and "swamp creature," though Democrats face a challenging general election in a heavily Republican state.
- Graham has a history of competitive races, including a 2020 contest against Jaime Harrison that saw record-breaking spending, which Graham ultimately won by 10 points.