Graham Kicks Off Reelection Early, Hoping To Ward Off Primary Challengers

on October 5, 2018 in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 05: U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) speaks to reporters after a cloture vote for the nomination of Supreme Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, at the U.S. Capitol, October... WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 05: U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) speaks to reporters after a cloture vote for the nomination of Supreme Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, at the U.S. Capitol, October 5, 2018 in Washington, DC. The Senate voted 51-49 in a procedural vote to advance the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is wasting no time launching his reelection campaign, enlisting the likes of Vice President Mike Pence to ward off any potential primary challengers.

According to the Washington Post, Democrats’ 2018 inroads in the state have made Graham’s aggressive pendulum swing to the right risky, as he may shed moderates and independents who have contributed to his winning coalition in the past.

Jaime Harrison, the first black chairman of the state Democratic party, is reportedly considering a bid and would likely be able to count on support from 2020 presidential candidates, since South Carolina has one of the first primaries.

Latest News
18
Show Comments

Notable Replies

  1. Fear of a primary challenge partly explains Graham’s sucking up to Trump – that and the dirt that Trump’s Russian handlers have on him.

  2. Graham’s sycophancy to Trump could prevent a primary opponent, but it does energize Democrats in his state and reveals to all he’s a shameless opportunist, liar, and hypocrite who puts party above country.

    Somewhere John McCain is weeping.

  3. He wants to get people on board before Barr releases the Mueller Report.

  4. I would be happy to contribute to any reasonable challengers. Graham deserves to go down in flames and ignominy.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

12 more replies

Participants

Avatar for system1 Avatar for valgalky23 Avatar for dr_coyote Avatar for kwoodgr Avatar for bojimbo26 Avatar for egyptsteve Avatar for lastroth Avatar for sanni Avatar for ignoreland Avatar for riverstreet Avatar for dickweed Avatar for thunderclapnewman Avatar for muddylee Avatar for nycabj Avatar for demosthenes59 Avatar for eisenst Avatar for greenman66

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: