The S.C. Republican Party has invited who it determined to be the leading candidates for its Aug. 3 televised debate in the U.S. Senate primary to find a successor to the late Lindsey Graham.
Those being invited are: U.S. Sen. Darline Graham, U.S. Reps. Russell Fry and Ralph Norman, businessman Mark Lynch and former governor and congressman Mark Sanford.
The listed criteria covered their standing in recent polling, the party said July 31 in announcing the lineup.
“As Republicans consider who should represent us on the ballot and represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate for the next six years, it’s critical that they have an opportunity to compare the candidates on the issues and how they communicate their ideas to the public,” S.C. GOP Chairman Drew McKissick said.
Not invited to take part were: Walterboro attorney Duke Buckner, former Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark McBride, retired Air Force officer Glenda Gail Parker, and inventor Samuel Shepherd.
Farmer Danny Ford II is suing the state party to be allowed on the ballot.
The state GOP lineup announcement also stressed that candidate participation on Aug. 4 is conditional upon agreeing to take part in any prospective runoff debate.
The Aug. 3 debate from 7-8 p.m. will be broadcast and streamed live across Gray Media stations and digital platforms, including:
• Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson – WHNS FOX Carolina
• Columbia – WIS NBC 10
• Charleston – WCSC Live 5
• Myrtle Beach – WMBF NBC
• Augusta-Aiken – WAGT NBC
• Charlotte – WBTV
• Savannah – WTOC 11
The special primary for Republicans to pick his successor on the ballot is Aug. 11, with a possible runoff Aug. 25.
Graham passed away July 11 from a torn aorta.
