André Bauer’s Challenge to Lindsey Graham

CHAPIN, S.C. (AP) — André Bauer, a former Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, is launching a Republican primary bid against Senator Lindsey Graham, claiming that the current officeholder does not uphold enough conservative values to adequately represent the state.

André Bauer emerges as the most substantial contender yet to take on Lindsay Graham in the upcoming 2026 primary.

Coastal developer André Bauer, a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, is running for office, creating a midterm rivalry with Senator Graham, who has held the position for four terms. Senator Graham’s connection to Donald Trump has fluctuated over time, yet he currently has Trump’s support for his reelection bid.

Bauer characterizes himself as a genuine conservative who prioritizes America First principles and aims to embody the authentic values of South Carolina conservatives.

“I think Graham’s been there too long, and he votes like it,” Bauer told The Associated Press Tuesday night. “I’m guaranteed, I’m conservative, and I don’t think he is.”

Republicans dominate the majority of the statewide-elected roles in South Carolina, resulting in intense political competition mainly during GOP primaries. Despite this, a significant number of candidates participating in South Carolina primaries are actually Democrats. These individuals are Democrats at heart, aligning themselves with the Republican Party in name only.

Graham has encountered primary challenges from the right in the past, where he was criticized for aligning with Democrats on topics like immigration and climate change. Despite this, he aligns with Republican stances on national security.

Graham is widely considered to be a war hawk. Prior to the recent U.S. strike on Iranian sites, Graham urged Trump to fully support Israel and eliminate Iran’s nuclear program.

Graham has been a major advocate for providing financial support to Ukraine.

In February, Graham launched his bid for reelection, and another lesser known upstate Republican will be competing in the primary race.

Trump has already endorsed Graham. Graham’s campaign recently revealed that Chris LaCivita, who co-managed Trump’s 2024 campaign, will now act as a senior adviser.

On Tuesday, Abby Zilch, a spokesperson for Graham’s campaign, stated that the senator received Trump’s full backing, while also criticizing André Bauer for seeking titles to boost his ego throughout his career.

André Bauer acknowledged that Trump relied on Capitol Hill connections to push through his legislative agenda, such as the tax cuts and spending bill that recently moved through the Senate Budget Committee chaired by Graham and was approved by the chamber on Tuesday.

“Trump’s got to work and get his bills passed,” Bauer said. “Lindsey’s chairman of a major committee. … I get what you have to do.”

André Bauer supported Trump prior to his victory in the 2016 GOP primary in South Carolina. During the kickoff of his 2024 campaign in South Carolina, Trump praised Bauer, a member of his state leadership committee, as a close associate, stating that Bauer could succeed in almost any political position.

Before being elected as the youngest lieutenant governor in the United States in 2002, André Bauer had experience in the South Carolina legislature. Following his two terms as lieutenant governor, he ran for governor in 2010 but was unsuccessful, ending up at the bottom in a four-way GOP primary that was won by Nikki Haley.

Bauer refused to specify the amount of his personal funds he would contribute, expressing his intention to invest in the campaign and eagerly anticipating getting back on the campaign trail.

“I’m going to cover this state like the dew covers Dixie,” André Bauer said. “I think you’re going to see a movement.”