A new poll indicates former Rep. Trey Gowdy would lead a crowded field of candidates in the special election for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s seat, despite Gowdy stating he has no interest in running. The survey comes as Sen. Darline Graham Nordone, appointed to finish her brother’s term and endorsed by President Donald Trump, faces multiple challengers.
The Republican-aligned firm Peak Insights surveyed 900 likely GOP primary voters and found Gowdy at 38 percent support. Actual candidates trail far behind, with Rep. Ralph Norman at 13 percent, Rep. Russell Fry and Sen. Darline Graham Nordone each at 9 percent, and businessman Mark Lynch at 7 percent.
Gowdy, who left Congress in 2019 and now hosts a Fox News show, said through a spokesperson that he “has not had any conversations about the open Senate seat and does not have any interest in it.” Sen. Tim Scott has publicly urged Gowdy to enter the race.
Trump’s endorsement of Graham Nordone raises her support to 16 percent in the poll, while Gowdy’s drops to 35 percent. The special primary election is scheduled for August 11, with the candidate filing window closing on July 28.
