Greenville engineer joins 2026 race for Lindsey Graham's U.S. Senate seat
A Greenville engineer plans to join the race against Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham in the 2026 midterm election.
Lee Johnson launched his campaign for the U.S. Senate on May 14. He is an engineer and businessman, according to his campaign website.
Johnson said in a statement that he wasn't born into politics, and he grew up in a construction family where he learned to operate heavy equipment before he could drive.
'Lindsey Graham built a career for himself,' Johnson said. 'I've spent my life building for others.
According to his campaign announcement, he wants to protect Social Security and Medicaid. He is also running on lower prescription drug costs and affordable healthcare.
More: 'Let's do this,' Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina announces bid for NRSC, what to know
Johnson is among three Democrats running to take Graham's senate seat — which he has held since 2002. The other two Democratic candidates are Catherine Fleming Bruce and Kyle Freeman.
Graham will also face one Republican challenger, Mark Lynch, and two independent candidates, Jack Ellison and Reece Wright-McDonald.
President Donald Trump notably endorsed Graham's reelection campaign in a Truth Social post in March. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and Gov. Henry McMaster have also agreed to chair Graham's campaign.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Greenville engineer announces bid for U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham's seat
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