Sen. Lindsey Graham is safe in the Senate after a year of intense competition with Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison.
Fox News and the Associated Press called the race around 10 p.m. on Tuesday.
Graham praised Harrison’s efforts, particularly in his ability to fundraise, and thanked his campaign staff in his acceptance speech on Tuesday night.
“All I can say is this has been overwhelming,” Graham said. “I’ve never been challenged like this, and I’ve never had more support than I have tonight.”
Graham, an ally of President Trump, is the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a prominent member of the Republican Party. He was first elected in 2002.
Harrison, who shattered fundraising records throughout the campaign cycle, was seen as a promising candidate to take out Graham, an ally of President Trump who has grown to become a national figure. Harrison was the only candidate in the country to top nine figures in his fundraising efforts.
Graham’s race was widely watched, especially as the South Carolina senator openly expressed concerns with fundraising, even going on national TV networks to request donations. Harrison broke fundraising records, being the only candidate in the country to top nine figures. The race, once viewed in favor of Graham, moved over time to become a “Toss Up” race by the Cook Political Report.
Graham has been central to Trump’s Supreme Court nominations through his role in the Judiciary Committee. He avidly pushed for now-Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearings to occur prior to Election Day despite his past comments about a sitting president not nominating justices to the high court in an election year. He also staunchly defended Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018, when he was accused of sexual assault in the midst of his confirmation, an accusation the judge vigorously denied.
The Republican has also been leading a major congressional investigation into whether Obama administration officials improperly targeted Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign amid the Russia investigation. However, the lack of developments in the investigation prompted some criticism, even by major conservative pundits such as Lou Dobbs, to urge South Carolina voters not to back Graham’s reelection.
Graham’s place in the Senate is critical for the GOP, especially as he’s become known as a national figure. His victory over Harrison is a good sign for Republicans, who are aiming to keep every seat they can as election forecasters predicted they’re at risk of losing the majority.
Graham’s victory is a good sign for Republicans who are aiming to hold on to every seat to keep their Senate majority. He will now embark on his fourth term in Congress.
