2020 United States Senate election in South Carolina

The 2020 United States Senate election in South Carolina will be held on November 3, 2020, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of South Carolina, concurrently with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

2020 United States Senate election in South Carolina

November 3, 2020

Nominee Lindsey Graham Jaime Harrison Party Republican Democratic

Incumbent U.S. senator Lindsey Graham Republican

Incumbent Republican Senator Lindsey Graham is seeking a fourth term. The primary elections were held on June 9, 2020.[1]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Lindsey Graham, incumbent U.S. Senator[2]

Eliminated in primary

• Dwayne “Duke” Buckner, attorney and Owner of Buckner Law Firm located in Walterboro[3]
• Michael J. LaPierre, businessman[4]
• Joe Reynolds, Chief Engineer in the U.S. Merchant Marine[5]

Withdrew

• Johnny Garcia, Air Force veteran[6]
• Peggy Kandies, Charleston art teacher, home decorator, and former IBM employee[7][8]
• Mark Sloan, Greer minister and manufacturing executive[9][10]
• David Weikle, radio host, U.S. Marine veteran, and candidate for the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2018 (switched to the Libertarian primary)[11][12]

Declined

• Eric Bolling, former Fox News host[13][14]
• Mark Burns, Easley pastor and former candidate for South Carolina's 4th congressional district in 2018[15]
• Harlan Hill, Republican (formerly Democratic) political consultant and commentator[16]
• John Warren, Greenville businessman and candidate for Governor of South Carolina in 2018[17]
• Carey Wilson[18]

Endorsements

Lindsey Graham
U.S. Executive Branch Officials Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States (2017-present)[19] Mike Pence, 48th Vice President of the United States (2017-present)[20]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[lower-alpha 1]	Margin of error	Lindsey Graham	Other	Undecided
Change Research	June 11–14, 2019	1,183 (LV)	± 2.9%	70%	4%[lower-alpha 2]	26%

Hypothetical polling
with Generic Republican Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size[lower-alpha 1] Margin of error Lindsey Graham Generic Republican Other Change Research June 11–14, 2019 1,183 (LV) ± 2.9% 79% 19% 2%[lower-alpha 3]

Results

Results by county:

  Graham—80–90%

  Graham—70–80%

  Graham—60–70%

  Graham—50–60%

  Graham—40–50%

Republican primary results[21]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Lindsey Graham (incumbent)	317,512	67.69%
	Republican	Michael LaPierre	79,932	17.04%
	Republican	Joe Reynolds	43,029	9.17%
	Republican	Dwayne "Duke" Buckner	28,570	6.09%
Total votes			469,043	100.0%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jaime Harrison, former chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party and associate chairman of the Democratic National Committee[22]

Withdrawn

• Gloria Bromell Tinubu, former Georgia state representative, candidate for Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina in 2018, and nominee for South Carolina's 7th congressional district in 2012 and 2014[23] (endorsed Jaime Harrison)[24]
• Matthew Knights[25]
• William Stone, legal researcher[26][27]
• Justin Wooton, activist[28][29]

Declined

• Mandy Powers Norrell, incumbent state representative and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2018[30]
• Bakari Sellers, political commentator and former state representative[31]

Endorsements

Jaime Harrison

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Senator for Minnesota (2007–present), former candidate for 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.[32] Former Governors Jim Hodges, former Governor of South Carolina (1999–2003).[33] Local officials Pete Buttigieg, former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012–2020) and former candidate for 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.[34] Organizations Council for a Livable World[35] Democracy for America[36] Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee[37] End Citizens United[38] Giffords[39] Human Rights Campaign[40] League of Conservation Voters[41] MoveOn[42] NARAL Pro-Choice America[43] Planned Parenthood[44]

Other candidates

Libertarian Party

Candidates

Nominee

• Keenan Wallace Dunham, chair of the Horry County Libertarian Party[45]

Withdrawn

• David Weikle, radio show host, U.S. marine veteran, and candidate for the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2018[45] (remained on ballot)[46]

Constitution Party

Candidates

Declared

• Bill Bledsoe, Libertarian Party and Constitution Party nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2016[45]

Independents

Declared

• Lloyd Williams[47]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[48]	Likely R	July 23, 2020
Inside Elections[49]	Likely R	July 10, 2020
Sabato's Crystal Ball[50]	Likely R	August 5, 2020
Daily Kos[51]	Safe R	July 22, 2020
Politico[52]	Likely R	July 6, 2020
RCP[53]	Tossup	August 6, 2020
Niskanen[54]	Lean R	July 26, 2020
270towin[55]	Tossup	August 6, 2020

Endorsements

Lindsey Graham (R)
U.S. Executive Branch Officials Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States (2017-present)[56] Mike Pence, 48th Vice President of the United States (2017-present)[57]

Jaime Harrison (D)

Former U.S. Executive Branch officials Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States (2009–2017), former Senator from Illinois (2005-2008)[58] U.S. Senators Kamala Harris, United States Senator from California (2017-present); 2020 vice presidential nominee[59] Amy Klobuchar, Senator for Minnesota (2007–present), former candidate for 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.[60] Elizabeth Warren, Senator for Massachusetts (2013–present), former candidate for 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.[61] Former Governors Jim Hodges, former Governor of South Carolina (1999–2003).[62] Local officials Pete Buttigieg, former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012–2020) and former candidate for 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.[63] Organizations Broader Representation Advocacy Team (BRAT-PAC)[64] Climate Hawks Vote[65] The Collective PAC[66] Congressional Black Caucus[67] Council for a Livable World[68] DUH! Demand Universal Healthcare[69] Democracy for America[70] Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee[71] End Citizens United[72] Everytown for Gun Safety[73] Flip the Senate[74] Giffords[75] Human Rights Campaign[76] League of Conservation Voters[77] MoveOn[78] NARAL Pro-Choice America[79] National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare[80] National Organization for Women[81] Planned Parenthood[82] Population Connection[83] Progressive Turnout Project[84]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[lower-alpha 1]	Margin of error	Lindsey Graham (R)	Jaime Harrison (D)	Other / Undecided
Quinnipiac University	July 30 – August 3, 2020	914 (RV)	± 3.2%	44%	44%	9%
Public Policy Polling	July 30–31, 2020	1,117 (V)	± 3.0%	47%	44%	8%
Morning Consult	July 24 – August 2, 2020	741 (LV)	± 4.0%	44%	43%	12%
Brilliant Corners Research & Strategies (D)	July 13–19, 2020	800 (LV)	± 3.5%	43%	41%	16%[lower-alpha 4]
Gravis Marketing	July 17, 2020	604 (LV)	± 4.0%	48%	41%	10%
Civiqs/Daily Kos	May 23–26, 2020	591 (RV)	± 4.5%	42%	42%	16%[lower-alpha 5]
Brilliant Corners Research & Strategies (D)	March 3–11, 2020	804 (LV)	± 3.8%	47%	43%	9%
NBC News/Marist	February 18–21, 2020	2,382 (RV)	± 2.6%	54%	37%	9%
East Carolina University	January 31 – February 2, 2020	1,756 (RV)	± 2.7%	51%	38%	11%
Change Research	December 6–11, 2019	998 (LV)	± 3.1%	47%	45%	9%
Benchmark Research/Security in Strength PAC[upper-alpha 1]	October 15–21, 2019	450 (RV)	± 4.2%	53%	30%	18%
Change Research/Collective PAC[upper-alpha 2]	September 17–21, 2019	809 (LV)	± 3.4%	50%	43%	7%
Change Research	June 11–14, 2019	2,312 (RV)	± 2.0%	52%	35%	13%
WPA Intelligence (R)[upper-alpha 3]	March 11–13, 2019	500 (LV)	± 4.4%	55%	32%	12%

Hypothetical polling

with generic Democrat Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size[lower-alpha 1] Margin of error Lindsey Graham (R) Generic Democrat Other / Undecided Change Research June 11–14, 2019 2,312 ± 2.0% 51% 36% 12% on whether Lindsey Graham deserves to be re-elected Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size[lower-alpha 1] Margin of error Yes No Other / Undecided Change Research/Post and Courier December 6–11, 2019 998 (LV)[lower-alpha 6] ± 3.1% 37% 53% 10% Emerson College Feb 28-Mar 2, 2019 755 (RV) ± 3.5% 47% 52% 1%

Fundraising

In the first quarter of 2020, Harrison outraised Graham, $7.3 million to $5.5 million, but Graham had the lead in cash on hand, with $12 million compared with Harrison's $8 million.[85]

Results

United States Senate election in South Carolina, 2020

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Republican	Lindsey Graham (incumbent)
	Democratic	Jaime Harrison
	Libertarian	Keenan Dunham
	Constitution	Bill Bledsoe
	Independent	Lloyd Williams
Total votes				100.0%

Notes

Partisan clients

1. Poll sponsor is a super PAC that supported Lindsey Graham during this poll's sampling period.
2. Poll sponsor had endorsed Harrison prior to this poll's sampling period.
3. Poll sponsored by Conservatives for Clean Energy

Voter samples

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear
2. Warren with 3%; Kandies with 1%; Burns, Hill, Reynolds and Wilson with 0%
3. Would not vote with 2%
4. Dunham (L) with 4%, Bledsoe (C) with 3%, Other with 1%, and Undecided with 8%
5. "Someone else" with 10%; undecided with 6%
6. Likely primary voters

References

1. https://elections.mytimetovote.com/south_carolina.html
2. Ripley, Joe (October 8, 2018). "Sen. Lindsey Graham to run for re-election in 2020, has 'zero interest' in Trump appointment". WYFF. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
3. https://www.facebook.com/dukeforsenate/
4. https://www.lapierreforsenate.com Michael J. Lapierre
5. "Joe Reynolds For US Senate | Defending Our Democracy | Get Involved". Joe Reynolds For US Senate 2020. Retrieved 2019-05-30.
6. "United States Senate election in South Carolina, 2020". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
7. https://www.facebook.com/peggysenate/
8. https://ballotpedia.org/Peggy_Kandies
9. Kirby, Paul (March 27, 2018). "Mark Sloan launches campaign for US Senate challenging incumbent Senator Lindsey Graham". The Lexington Ledger. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
10. "Termination Report" (PDF). Federal Election Commission. January 29, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
11. Kropf, Schulyer (July 6, 2019). "'Make Machine Guns Great Again' says one of the SC Republicans challenging Lindsey Graham". The Post and Courier. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
12. https://ballotpedia.org/David_Weikle
13. Hadas Gold, Fox's Bolling talks of a future Senate run: One of Trump's top defenders says he yearns to challenge a sitting Republican senator, Politico (June 19, 2017).
14. "Former Fox News Host Mulling Challenge To Lindsey Graham". FITS News. September 11, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
15. Marchant, Bristow (October 17, 2017). "Trump's 'top pastor' could launch challenge of Lindsey Graham". The State.
16. Ecarma, Caleb (July 31, 2017). "Fox News Regular Harlan Hill Considers Senate Run Because Of One Twitter Poll". Mediaite.
17. Marchant, Bristow (July 6, 2018). "Former SC gov candidate John Warren hints at possible Senate run against Graham". The State.
18. https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/S0SC00271/
19. Coleman, Justine (June 8, 2020). "Trump endorses Graham ahead of South Carolina primary". The Hill. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
20. Axelrod, Tal (March 30, 2019). "Graham gets assist from Pence in reelection campaign kickoff". The Hill. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
21. "U.S. SENATE - REP". Secretary of State of South Carolina. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
22. Barton, Tom (May 28, 2019). "SC Democrat Jaime Harrison launches US Senate campaign to challenge Lindsey Graham". The State. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
23. Marchant, Bristow (April 28, 2019). "Lindsey Graham gets second Democratic challenger in Senate race". The State. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
24. Glantz, Tracy (January 15, 2020). "Gloria Tinubu bows out, supports Jaime Harrison for U.S. Senate seat". Retrieved January 23, 2020.
25. https://www.facebook.com/MatthewBaldwinKnights/
26. "Stone for Senate -- FEC Filing".
27. https://ballotpedia.org/William_Stone_(South_Carolina)
28. "Home | Justin Wooton for Senate 2020". Senate Page. Retrieved 2019-07-18.
29. https://ballotpedia.org/Justin_Wooton
30. Norrell, Mandy [@MPowersNorrell] (February 21, 2019). "Thank you!!! I actually have no plans to run for US Senate, so that eliminates that concern, but what a sign of a healthy party it would be if we were to have a robust primary! I am so excited about the caliber of candidate we have in @harrisonjaime ! He will be amazing!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 30, 2019 – via Twitter.
31. Sellers, Bakari [@Bakari_Sellers] (June 12, 2019). "Thank you! Yeah man I'm focused on raising a family right now" (Tweet). Retrieved June 30, 2019 – via Twitter.
32. Schneider, Elena (May 1, 2020). "Klobuchar launches Campaign to aid Senate, House Dems in 2020". Politico. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
33. Dumain, Emma (May 30, 2019). "Harrison's going national in bid to beat Graham, but he's still scoring local nods". The State. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
34. Merica, Dan (May 13, 2020). "Buttigieg highlights importance of local officials in first post-campaign endorsements". CNN. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
35. "Jaime Harrison for Senate (D-SC)". Council for a Livable World.
36. "DFA endorses Jaime Harrison for U.S. Senate in South Carolina". Democracy for America. June 11, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
37. "DSCC Endorses Jaime Harrison in South Carolina Senate Campaign". Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. May 30, 2019.
38. Muller, Tiffany (December 4, 2019). "End Citizens United Endorses Jaime Harrison for U.S. Senate". End Citizens United.
39. "Giffords Endorses Jaime Harrison for Senate in South Carolina". Giffords.
40. Acosta, Lucas (January 23, 2020). "HRC Announces Senate Endorsements in Effort to Achieve Pro-Equality Majority". Human Rights Campaign.
41. Rich, Aliyah (December 17, 2019). "LCV Action Fund Endorses Jaime Harrison For Senate". League of Conservation Voters. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
42. "Candidate Profile - MoveOn Candidates". MoveOn. 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
43. "NARAL Pro-Choice America Endorses Jaime Harrison for Senate". NARAL Pro-Choice America. November 18, 2019.
44. "2020 Endorsements". www.plannedparenthoodaction.org.
45. "Here are the candidates". Walterboro Live. April 2, 2020.
46. "David Weikle for US Senate". Facebook. June 7, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
47. "SOUTH CAROLINA". Politics1. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
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51. "Daily Kos Elections releases initial Senate race ratings for 2020". Daily Kos Elections. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
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53. "Battle for White House". RCP. April 19, 2019.
54. "2020 Negative Partisanship and the 2020 Congressional Elections". Niskanen Center. April 28, 2020.
55. "2020 Senate Map Based on Polls". 270towin.com. August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
56. Coleman, Justine (June 8, 2020). "Trump endorses Graham ahead of South Carolina primary". The Hill. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
57. Axelrod, Tal (March 30, 2019). "Graham gets assist from Pence in reelection campaign kickoff". The Hill. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
58. "First Wave of 2020 Endorsements". August 3, 2020.
59. "Kamala Harris Endorsements". May 9, 2020.
60. Schneider, Elena (May 1, 2020). "Klobuchar launches Campaign to aid Senate, House Dems in 2020". Politico. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
61. "Warren Democrats".
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63. Merica, Dan (May 13, 2020). "Buttigieg highlights importance of local officials in first post-campaign endorsements". CNN. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
64. "2020 Candidates". BRAT-PAC.
65. "Jaime Harrison". Climate Hawks Vote.
66. "Candidates".
67. "| CBCPAC". www.cbcpac.org.
68. "Jaime Harrison for Senate (D-SC)". Council for a Livable World.
69. "2020 Endorsed House Candidates". DUH! Demand Universal Healthcare.
70. "DFA endorses Jaime Harrison for U.S. Senate in South Carolina". Democracy for America. June 11, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
71. "DSCC Endorses Jaime Harrison in South Carolina Senate Campaign". Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. May 30, 2019.
72. Muller, Tiffany (December 4, 2019). "End Citizens United Endorses Jaime Harrison for U.S. Senate". End Citizens United.
73. "Everytown For Gun Safety Action Fund Endorses Jaime Harrison For U.S. Senate in South Carolina". Everytown. June 9, 2020.
74. "Our Candidates". Flip the Senate.
75. "Giffords Endorses Jaime Harrison for Senate in South Carolina". Giffords.
76. Acosta, Lucas (January 23, 2020). "HRC Announces Senate Endorsements in Effort to Achieve Pro-Equality Majority". Human Rights Campaign.
77. Rich, Aliyah (December 17, 2019). "LCV Action Fund Endorses Jaime Harrison For Senate". League of Conservation Voters. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
78. "Candidate Profile - MoveOn Candidates". MoveOn. 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
79. "NARAL Pro-Choice America Endorses Jaime Harrison for Senate". NARAL Pro-Choice America. November 18, 2019.
80. "Candidates We Endorse and Support". NCPSSM.
81. "2020 Federal Endorsements - NOW PAC". nowpac.org.
82. "2020 Endorsements". www.plannedparenthoodaction.org.
83. "2020 Endorsements". Population Connection.
84. "Endorsements". Progressive Turnout Project.
85. Schwartz, Brian (Apr 20, 2020). "Democratic underdog Jaime Harrison picks up bundlers as he sees fundraising success in battle with GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham". cnbc.com. CNBC. Retrieved 2020-05-13.

External links

Official campaign websites

• Keenan Wallace Dunham (L) for Senate
• Lindsey Graham (R) for Senate
• Jaime Harrison (D) for Senate