Rep. William Timmons, a close ally of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., has sharply criticized fellow South Carolina Republicans for quickly maneuvering to replace the senator following his sudden death, calling the rush inappropriate and driven by a desire for attention.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Timmons expressed frustration with the speed at which some members of the state's GOP congressional delegation have signaled interest in running in the Aug. 11 special election to fill Graham's seat. «The way that within 24 hours people are talking about that, that's just not appropriate,» Timmons said. «And I don't know, I think it's unfortunate that these people are so thirsty for attention that they'll get it at the expense of — It just rubbed me the wrong way.»
Two South Carolina Republican representatives, Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, have already indicated they are considering bids for the seat. Mace, who recently failed to secure the Republican nomination for governor in the state, teased her interest on social media with a quote from «The Godfather III,» posting, «Just when I thought I was out… they pull me back in.» Sources close to Mace have confirmed she is «seriously» considering a run. Norman, meanwhile, told reporters he has sought an endorsement from President Donald Trump for the race, recounting that Trump said he needed time before making a decision.
Timmons, who shared a close bond with Graham through hours spent together on the golf course, argued that neither Mace nor Norman would likely succeed in the Senate after voters had just delivered clear results in the state's primary election. He contended that the next senator must «work to earn everyone's respect and trust» and model themselves after Graham's approach to governance. «You don't tweet hateful things at them. You don't tell them what to do. You tell them why this is a good path forward, and sometimes you have to figure out a way that you can make it work,» Timmons said, reflecting a lesson he learned from his late mentor.
Timmons also took aim at the style of some potential candidates, saying, «I think that some of the people that have talked about running have a history of just saying outlandish things and taking ridiculous positions just for the purpose of getting clicks. And I think that that is not something that the people of South Carolina are going to reward.» He added that it would be unfortunate if the next senator did not adopt Graham's more collaborative and respectful approach.
President Trump has already hinted at a potential favorite for the seat, naming Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., as a candidate he could see winning. Trump told Newsmax, «I think Russell Fry, a young congressman, is outstanding, and that could happen. I could see that happening.» Trump backed Fry in his 2022 primary campaign, where Fry defeated former Rep. Tom Rice, who had voted to impeach Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots. Politico has reported that Fry has been in communication with the White House about a potential run and is viewed as a top contender for Trump's endorsement.
For now, Graham's seat is temporarily filled by his younger sister, Darline Graham, who has never held elected office. She was sworn in on Tuesday and will serve out the remainder of her brother's term. Candidates can begin filing for the primary race one week from Tuesday. Timmons, when asked if he himself might run, did not rule out the possibility, saying, «That's a conversation for the future, and obviously I support the president. I think the president is going to be the deciding factor of who the next senator is, and we will see what he decides.»
The special election has drawn national attention as Republicans seek to protect their fragile majority in the Senate. Graham's death has left a void in South Carolina's delegation, and the race to replace him is expected to be closely watched, with Trump's endorsement likely playing a decisive role in determining the eventual nominee.
