Former Rep. Trey Gowdy remains the top choice among South Carolina Republicans to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, according to a new poll, even though the former congressman has shown no interest in returning to Washington.
A Peak Insights survey found Gowdy leading the Republican field ahead of the Aug. 11 special primary to determine the GOP nominee for Graham’s former Senate seat.
Gowdy, who represented South Carolina in the House from 2011 to 2019 before joining Fox News, captured 38% support in the poll.
“Trey would be an amazing senator for South Carolina,” GOP Sen. Tim Scott said recently, according to Fox News.
Rep. Ralph Norman finished a distant second with 13%, followed by Rep. Russell Fry and Sen. Darline Graham Nordone, who each received 9%.
Businessman Mark Lynch polled at 7%, while outgoing Rep. Nancy Mace drew 6%.
Nordone, Lindsey Graham’s sister, was appointed to serve the remainder of her brother’s Senate term after his death earlier this month. President Donald Trump has since endorsed her bid for a full six-year term.
The survey of 900 likely voters carried a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.
Pollsters also tested the race after informing respondents of Trump’s endorsement.
Even with the president’s backing, Gowdy remained the clear front-runner with 35% support. Nordone climbed to 16%, gaining seven percentage points to move into second place.
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Despite his strong showing, Gowdy is not expected to enter the race.
A representative for the former congressman said he “has not had any conversations about the open Senate seat and does not have any interest in it.”
Trump threw his full support behind Nordone in a recent Truth Social post, praising her and tying his endorsement to her late brother’s legacy.
“Lindsey was one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, and his sister shares his deep love of our Country, and the State of South Carolina,” Trump wrote.
Trump added that “there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey.”
“Darline, who comes from an absolutely incredible family, has been a WINNER all of her life and, should she accept, has my Complete and Total Endorsement in the Special Election for U.S. Senate in South Carolina,” Trump posted.
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