Republican Mulls Challenge Against Lindsey Graham: 'Lost His Way'
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Andre Bauer, the former lieutenant governor of South Carolina, said he is seriously considering challenging Senator Lindsey Graham in the 2026 Republican Senate primary.
Bauer told the Washington Examiner that Graham has "lost his way" as he accused him of abandoning President Donald Trump's "America First" agenda over the senator's push for the U.S. to go "all in" on backing Israel against Iran.
Abby Zilch, a spokesperson for Graham's campaign, told Newsweek that the senator is "focused on helping Trump enact his America First agenda" and is proud to have his "complete and total endorsement."
Newsweek reached out to Bauer via social media for comment.
Why It Matters
Graham has repeatedly fended off primary challengers during his four terms in the Senate, but Bauer's entry into the race could be the biggest test of his grip on Republican voters.
Graham split with others in the MAGA movement over U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict, and, in recent days, he made a rare break with Trump as he called for regime change in Iran.
Bauer, who was South Carolina's lieutenant governor from 2003 to 2011, told the Examiner that Graham is out of step with voters for calling for regime change in Iran, and he believes Graham could turn MAGA voters away from Graham if he entered the race.
Senator Lindsey Graham speaks at a Senate subcommittee meeting in Washington, D.C., on May 20, 2025.
Senator Lindsey Graham speaks at a Senate subcommittee meeting in Washington, D.C., on May 20, 2025.
Alex Wroblewski/AFP via Getty Images
What To Know
Bauer told the Examiner that he is carefully considering whether to run for office.
"I am calling people that I trust, and overwhelmingly, I've never seen anything like it—people feel like it's time for a change," he said. "They feel like Lindsey does not represent South Carolina."
Graham's approval numbers suggest he could be vulnerable as he runs for a fifth term, with a recent poll showing his rating is significantly lower than that of other Republicans.
About 34 percent of South Carolinians approve of how he is handling his duties, while 40 percent disapprove, according to a Winthrop University poll conducted in May.
However, Graham does have a sizable war chest and Trump's endorsement.
Bauer told the Examiner that while he has not discussed his possible Senate run with Trump, he president has long urged him to get back into politics in private.
"He's expressed confidence in me four or five times in a row that I've seen him," Bauer said.
Graham is already facing a primary challenge from businessman Mark Lynch, who has pledged $5 million of his own money into the race.
What People Are Saying
Andre Bauer told the Washington Examiner: "He's lost his way...It's more foreign wars. It's not supporting an America First agenda."
Abby Zilch, a spokesperson for Graham's campaign, told Newsweek: "Senator Graham is focused on helping Trump enact his America First agenda - cutting taxes, eliminating waste, funding border security, and standing with Israel against religious Nazis who want to wipe them off the map."
Alex Latcham, the executive director of the Senate Leadership Fund and a former Trump campaign staffer, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) in response to Bauer's claim of having Trump's support: "This is bulls***. I oversaw President Trump's South Carolina campaign and Andre was a massive pain in the a**."
What Happens Next
Bauer said he will announce his decision on whether to launch a Senate bid "in the near future."
The State newspaper reported earlier this week that an "Andre Bauer for U.S. Senate" fundraising page has already been set up through WinRed, the Republican Party's online campaign donation processing site, though he has not yet filed fundraising paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission.
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