CHAPIN, S.C. (AP) 鈥� Former South Carolina Lt. Gov. Andr茅 Bauer is mounting a GOP primary challenge to , arguing the incumbent isn't conservative enough to represent the state.
Bauer, a wealthy developer, is a longtime backer of President . His candidacy sets up a midterm grudge match with Graham, a four-term senator whose relationship with Trump has undulated through the years, but who has Trump's endorsement for reelection.
Bauer has described himself as 鈥渁 real, America First conservative鈥� intent on representing what he sees as South Carolina conservatives鈥� true values.
鈥淚 think Graham's been there too long, and he votes like it,鈥� Bauer told The Associated Press Tuesday night. 鈥淚'm guaranteed, I'm conservative, and I don't think he is."
Republicans dominate South Carolina鈥檚 statewide-elected positions, meaning that the most intense political competition takes place in GOP primaries.
Graham has faced previous primary challenges from the right, with opponents accusing him of kowtowing to Democrats on issues from immigration to climate change. But he also hews to Republican priorities on national security; ahead of last month鈥檚 U.S. strike on Iranian facilities, Graham to 鈥済o all-in鈥� in backing Israel and destroying Iran鈥檚 nuclear program.
Graham in February, and at least one other Republican has also announced a primary challenge.
He has already secured Trump鈥檚 endorsement. This week, Graham's campaign announced that Chris LaCivita, a co-campaign manager of Trump鈥檚 2024 bid, would serve as a senior adviser. On Tuesday, Abby Zilch, spokeswoman for Graham鈥檚 campaign, noted that the senator had earned Trump鈥檚 鈥渃omplete and total endorsement,鈥� adding that Bauer 鈥渉as spent his career chasing titles to feed his ego.鈥�
Bauer said he understood Trump鈥檚 need to use Capitol Hill relationships to advance his legislative priorities, like the tax cuts and spending bill that came before the Senate Budget Committee 鈥� which Graham chairs 鈥� before earlier Tuesday.
鈥淭rump鈥檚 got to work and get his bills passed,鈥� Bauer said. 鈥淟indsey鈥檚 chairman of a major committee. ... I get what you have to do."
Bauer has backed Trump since before his win in South Carolina鈥檚 2016 GOP primary. At his 2024 campaign's South Carolina launch event, Trump called Bauer 鈥� who served on his state leadership committee 鈥� 鈥渁 friend of mine, somebody that could I think run for almost any office and win.鈥�
Bauer served in the South Carolina legislature before, at 33, he was elected the youngest lieutenant governor in the country in 2002. After two terms, he mounted an unsuccessful 2010 gubernatorial bid, finishing last in a four-way GOP primary ultimately won by Nikki Haley.
Two years later, Bauer ran for Congress, losing a GOP runoff to eventual Rep. Tom Rice in South Carolina鈥檚 newly created 7th District.
Asked how much of his own money he would commit, Bauer declined to give a figure, saying he would 鈥減ut skin in the campaign鈥� and looked forward to returning to the trail.
鈥淚鈥檓 going to cover this state like the dew covers Dixie,鈥� Bauer said. 鈥淚 think you鈥檙e going to see a movement.鈥�
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Meg Kinnard, The Associated Press
