Updated

Updated · Fox News · Aug 17

Russell Fry Endorses Darline Graham in Aug. 25 Senate Runoff as Trump Reaffirms Backing

Updated

Updated · Fox News · Aug 17

Russell Fry Endorses Darline Graham in Aug. 25 Senate Runoff as Trump Reaffirms Backing

Q: With 42,000 early ballots already cast, what surprising impact might this rapid election timeline have on the runoff results?

The compressed schedule could make the runoff hinge less on late endorsements or final-week campaigning than on ballots cast before many voters fully absorb those developments. About 42,000 votes had already been cast in the special primary, and South Carolina’s runoff follows just two weeks later, with early voting for the runoff running only Aug. 19-21 before the Aug. 25 election. That leaves very little time for candidates to redefine the race, for supporters of eliminated contenders such as Russell Fry to shift in large numbers, or for endorsements from Fry and Trump to fully reach occasional voters. In practical terms, the short turnaround tends to reward whichever candidate already had stronger name recognition, an established organization, and voters motivated enough to act quickly. It can also lock in choices early: military and overseas voters, for example, may effectively cast runoff preferences in advance through instant runoff procedures, and absentee deadlines arrive almost immediately after the primary. The surprise effect is that major late momentum may matter less than usual. Even if Fry’s endorsement helps Darline Graham, or if Ralph Norman consolidates anti-establishment support, a meaningful share of the electorate may have already voted or may simply sit out because of the unusually fast, low-visibility runoff timeline. That can produce a result shaped more by readiness and turnout mechanics than by persuasion in the closing days.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 17

Rep. Russell Fry, who finished third in South Carolina’s Aug. 11 GOP Senate primary, endorsed Sen. Darline Graham and urged his supporters to back her in the Aug. 25 runoff.
Fry cast Graham as a reliable ally for President Donald Trump, saying she would fight for results in the Senate and understands the struggles of South Carolina families.
The endorsement boosts Graham ahead of her runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman, who placed second in the special Republican primary.
Trump, who backed Graham before the primary, renewed his support Friday, while Graham is already serving after Gov. Henry McMaster appointed her to complete the late Lindsey Graham’s term.