Sanford Enters Senate Race
Mark Sanford joins the South Carolina Senate race as Trump's preferred path stalls.
July 23, 2026 · Updated Jul 23, 7:48pm ET
New York MagazineDarline Graham Isn’t Scaring Off Rivals As Trump Hoped
Roll CallFormer South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford enters race for Graham’s seat
Just the NewsEx-S Carolina Governor, Congressman Mark Sanford to run for Senate seat left open by Graham's death
PoliticoSouth Carolina Senate poll shows surprising frontrunner: Trey Gowdy
Washington TimesEx-Rep. Mark Sanford jumps into South Carolina special primary to replace Lindsey Graham
FOX NewsTrump endorsement fails to clear GOP field as former governor joins South Carolina Senate race
New York PostEx Gov. Mark Sanford joins GOP field for SC Senate seat, despite Trump’s backing of Lindsey Graham’s sister
Patriot PostFilling Big Shoes
PJ MediaSouth Carolina's Own Latin Lover, Mark Sanford, Enters Race for Graham's Senate Seat
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Pano rates the coverage Mostly Right.
What happened
Former South Carolina Gov. and Rep. Mark Sanford
Mark SanfordAmerican politician (born 1960) announced Thursday that he will run in the special election for the U.S. Senate seat left open by the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham. Sanford, a Republican critic of President Donald Trump who challenged him in the 2020 GOP presidential primary, said his campaign will center on the national debt. His entry adds another Republican to a primary that includes Darline Graham
Darline GrahamAmerican politician (born 1964), Lindsey Graham’s sister and Trump’s endorsed candidate, and former Rep. Trey Gowdy
Trey GowdyAmerican politician and political commentator, who leads in a recent poll.
Lindsey Graham Succession
Part of the storyline · Storyline →- Jul 29Trump Honors Lindsey GrahamBalanced
- Jul 28Lindsey Graham FuneralBalanced
- Jul 23Sanford Enters Senate Race (this story)Mostly Right
- Jul 23Darline Graham Senate RunLeans Left
- Jul 21Darline Graham Senate RunMostly Left
