Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
9.5%
38%
15.8%
13%
9.3%
8%
7.9%
7.5%
South Carolina Republican Senate special primary winner?
$2.4M
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleBusiness executive
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyTrump-aligned Republican
LocationSouth Carolina
BackgroundBusiness executive
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Notable personal detailsMark Lynch is a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in South Carolina in 2026. He is a Greenville-area businessman and serves as president of Jeff Lynch Appliance Center. He has described himself as an ordained deacon at Burnsview Baptist Church in Greer and has emphasized faith-based recovery work and fiscal and immigration hardline positions as campaign themes.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govlynchforsenate.comfoxcarolina.comlinktr.eeapnews.comaxios.comthedailybeast.comen.wikipedia.orgthecandidate.comthemidtermproject.orglive5news.cominsideelections.comballotready.orgscencyclopedia.orgcommons.wikimedia.orgbrokentruth.tvwarroom.orgiheart.commyrtlebeachsc.comwyff4.comwspa.comwbt.comtransparencyusa.orglynch.house.govyahoo.comfitsnews.comwbur.orgdotnews.commyhorrynews.comfoxnews.comnrsc.orggreenvilleonline.comthenationaldesk.compbs.orgscdailygazette.compolitico.comemersoncollegepolling.comtime.comnbcnews.comwrdw.comthewellnews.comivoterguide.comballotpedia.orgdocquery.fec.govjustfacts.votesmart.orgvotesmart.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Mark Lynch’s campaign emphasizes economic growth, investing in domestic manufacturing, fighting inflation, and addressing the national debt, but the campaign materials do not provide a clear, specific tax plan or explicit positions on tax rates for individuals or corporations. Public statements describe a pro-business, conservative approach to the economy without detailing specific tax changes. Available sources therefore show general economic priorities but do not specify concrete tax policy proposals.
Healthcare
The candidate has criticized government medical mandates and framed such mandates as unconstitutional, but the campaign website does not present a detailed health-care plan or clear policy proposals on coverage, public options, or market reforms. Public statements emphasize opposition to perceived government overreach in medical policy rather than a comprehensive health-care reform agenda.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate calls for strict border enforcement including building the wall, a temporary 10-year moratorium on immigration, and policies prioritizing American workers and culture over immigration. The campaign frames immigration as a threat to national security, cultural cohesion, and economic opportunity and supports strong restrictions until those issues are reversed.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate states that life begins at conception and identifies as "100% pro-life," calling for a ban on abortion and opposing time-limited exceptions such as a 15-week cutoff. He has said protecting the unborn may require prosecuting those who perform abortions. These statements indicate support for near-total restrictions on abortion access.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate states the right to keep and bear arms is a God-given right and that "Shall Not Be Infringed" is absolute, indicating opposition to firearm regulation. The campaign materials describe the candidate as an avid marksman and emphasize strong support for the Second Amendment without proposed restrictions.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Mark Lynch was the Republican challenger in South Carolina’s U.S. Senate primary, where Lindsey Graham defeated him with 56.8% of the vote. Lynch also drew attention after alleging that voting machines were corrupted and that votes intended for him were switched to other candidates, including Graham, though the video he posted could not be independently verified. Earlier, Paul Dans dropped out of the race and endorsed Lynch, helping narrow the field before the primary.
fec.gov+46
Articles
UTUSA TODAY2 months ago
South Carolina election results for House, Senate, governor races
Negative
BNBaltimore News2 months ago
Lindsey Graham's GOP primary opponent claims election machines are corrupt
Negative
PNPBS News3 months ago
Project 2025 author Paul Dans drops primary challenge to Lindsey Graham in South Carolina
Positive
TAThe Associated Press3 months ago
Project 2025 author Paul Dans drops primary challenge to Lindsey Graham
Positive
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
South Carolina Republican Senate nominee?
Endorsers of Mark Lynch for South Carolina Republican Senate nominee?
Little River Patriots
Public figure
Little River Patriots endorsed Mark Lynch in the South Carolina Senate race.
Joe Kent
Public figure
Joe Kent endorsed Mark Lynch for the South Carolina Republican Senate primary.
Paul Dans
Public figure
Paul Dans endorsed Mark Lynch after dropping out of the South Carolina Republican Senate race.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$5.9M
$4.4M
$3.0M
$1.5M
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$5.9M
$598.2K
$5.3M
$295.6K
Source: FEC