Sen. Lindsay Graham (RINO-SC) gets major GOP primary challenger | Eastern NC Now

Hard on the heels of swamp rat NC US Senator Thom Tillis (RINO-NC) bowing out of a reelection race he could not have won, his RINO colleague in South Carolina, Lindsay Graham has drawn a major primary challenger.  Graham has historically been weak on illegal immigration and was long nicknamed "Lindsay Grahamnesty". He has been censured many times by GOP groups in his home state for his liberal votes.

Former two term South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer, a staunch conservative, has announced his candidacy for the Senate seat now held by Graham.  President Trump once described Bauer as a man "who could run for almost any office and win."

https://dailycaller.com/2025/07/02/lindsey-graham-primary-challenge/

https://www.andrebauer.com/

Two other major primary challenges to RINO US Senators in the south for the 2026 election are currently underway. In Texas staunch conservative state Attorney General Ken Paxton leads incumbent RINO US Senator John Cornyn in the polls by double digits.  In Louisiana, uber-RINO US Senator Bill Cassidy, an outspoken opponent of President Trump, faces current State Treasurer and former US Congressman John Fleming, a staunch conservative, who has also posted a double digit poll lead over the RINO incumbent.