GOP Rep. Russell Fry jumps into South Carolina Senate race

South Carolina Rep. Russell Fry announced Monday he will enter the crowded Senate race to claim the Republican seat held by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham — setting up a potential challenge to Trump-endorsed Darline Graham.

Fry quickly emerged as a potential successor after Graham's death. Trump hand-picked Fry to oust Rep. Tom Rice in his 2022 GOP primary after Rice voted to impeach Trump following the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. Fry has since enjoyed close ties to Trump's political orbit.

"There is no other way to put it: Lindsey Graham was one of a kind. There is no replacing him. But I believe the best way to honor his legacy is to fight alongside the President just as steadfastly as he did," Fry said in a statement.

But Trump ultimately endorsed Graham's sister Darline to seek the full term, following her appointment to fill out the seat in the short term. Trump's move was a shocking development to many Republicans who believed Darline Graham would only serve in a caretaker role. But senior Republicans have been wary of a House Republican seeking the role, given the razor thin House majority.

Fry will continue running for his House seat as well as in the special Senate election, two people close to Fry confirmed.

Graham's sudden death earlier this month was the result of a heart issue, according to a preliminary examination by the District of Columbia's medical examiner. The 71-year-old was first elected to the Senate in 2002 after serving in the House of Representatives since 1995.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster was quick to appoint Graham's sister, Darline Graham, to serve out the remainder of her brother's term. She was sworn in last week — the first woman to represent the Palmetto State in the upper chamber.

Lindsey Graham had been up for reelection this November and Sen. Darline Graham has not yet announced if she would seek a full term, though she is reportedly considering a run. She has already won the president's endorsement for the Aug. 11 primary.

"I hope Darline does this, in that there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey," Trump said in a post to social media. "RUN, DARLINE, RUN!"

Sen. Tim Scott, chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, echoed the president's support.

"Darline has so far been off to a remarkable start," Scott told CBS News. "Why not her?"

The filing window for candidates opens Tuesday and already Rep. Ralph Norman has announced that he will also seek the GOP nomination to replace Graham. The field is expected to grow larger and beyond Darline Graham, could also include Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Rep. Nancy Mace, businessman Mark Lynch and former Gov. Mark Sanford.

Fry on Monday said that he has been "overwhelmed" by words of encouragement asking him to "step up" as families struggle to make ends meet.

"High gas prices and soaring grocery costs are hurting hardworking people every day," Fry said. "There's too much at stake to take a chance, so I'm answering the call. I will be your conservative MAGA candidate in this summer's special Republican primary for the United States Senate."

Whoever wins the special Republican Primary will face off against Democrat Annie Andrews.