Key facts
- A poll shows Trey Gowdy leading the race for the South Carolina Senate seat.
- Darline Graham's support rose from 9% to 16% after respondents were told of President Trump's endorsement.
- Gowdy's support fell from 38% to 35% after the information about Trump's endorsement was provided.
- Sen. Tim Scott is encouraging Trey Gowdy to run for the vacant Senate seat.
- Trey Gowdy has stated he is not interested in running for the Senate.
A recent poll indicates that Trey Gowdy is the leading candidate for the open South Carolina Senate seat, despite President Donald Trump's endorsement of Darline Graham. When respondents were informed of Trump's request for Graham to run and his "complete and total endorsement," her support in the poll increased from 9% to 16%, while Gowdy's support slightly decreased from 38% to 35%.
Prominent Republicans, including Senator Tim Scott, are reportedly keen on Gowdy entering the race. Scott, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, has been advocating for Gowdy to fill the vacant seat. He announced last week that he was recruiting Gowdy before Graham declared her candidacy. Scott stated that Gowdy "best represents the heart of South Carolina" and that he is trying to interest him in running.
Gowdy, who left the U.S. House of Representatives in 2019 and now hosts a show on Fox News, has indicated through a spokesperson that he has not discussed the open Senate seat and has no interest in it. Scott has also offered praise for Graham, describing her as "strong so far, calm under pressure, and really poised" in a recent interview.