Polling Average
20%15%10%5%0%
12.1%
17.1%
South Carolina Republican Senate special primary: 1st place (1st round)
$65.2K
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
Russell Fry is trading at 14% to win the South Carolina Republican Senate special primary: 1st place (1st round) on prediction markets.
Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age41 years old (Jan 31, 1985)
GenderMale
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LocationSouth Carolina
BackgroundAttorney
EducationUniversity of South Carolina (B.A.), 2007
Notable personal detailsRussell William Fry is an American politician and attorney serving as the U.S. Representative for South Carolina’s 7th Congressional District (first elected in 2022; in office since January 3, 2023). He previously served in the South Carolina House of Representatives (District 106) from 2015 to 2022, including as Chief Majority Whip. He earned a B.A. from the University of South Carolina and a J.D. from Charleston School of Law, and practiced law on the Grand Strand.
SourcesShowHide
history.house.govfry.house.govfec.govpressgallery.house.goven.wikipedia.orgwikizero.orgclerk.house.govpointedwords.comrussfry.comtpaction.comamericangaming.orgcotton.orgfr.wikipedia.orgscchamber.netscstatehouse.govhouse.govteacherspayteachers.comalmanacofamericanpolitics.substack.comcpac.orglegilist.comgovinfo.govjustfacts.votesmart.orgrussellfrysc.comgop.govcongress.govreproductivefreedomforall.orgnrcc.orgheritageaction.comdor.sc.govgovernor.sc.govscpolicycouncil.orgfacebook.comgoogle.comscdailygazette.comupi.compostandcourier.comwashingtonpost.comrollcall.comnytimes.comyahoo.compolitico.cominstagram.comfoxnews.comwjcl.comflvoicenews.comdeveloper.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgsubstack.govtrack.usdisclosures-clerk.house.govwikidata.orgballotready.orgziplook.house.govdirectory.house.govdocs.house.govjudiciary.house.gov
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Russell Fry supports tax cuts and tax relief, especially for working families and businesses. He has backed extending Trump-era tax policies, described lower taxes and less red tape as a priority, and supported measures opposing a carbon tax and other tax increases.
Healthcare
Russell Fry opposes a one-size-fits-all government-run healthcare program and says affordable care should come through personalized care, transparency, choice, and competition. His public health position emphasizes market-based solutions rather than single-payer coverage.
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Immigration & Border
Russell Fry advocates a hardline border-security approach focused on finishing the southern border wall, increasing law enforcement presence, strengthening immigration laws, and cracking down on human trafficking and drug smuggling. He also supported legislation to tighten oversight of unaccompanied alien children and keep some children from being released to sponsors when gang ties or criminal history are found.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Russell Fry identifies with pro-life legislation in his official biography. His congressional record includes cosponsoring a bill to prohibit taxpayer-funded abortions and supporting other anti-abortion measures.
Climate & Energy
Russell Fry’s public record emphasizes American energy production and opposition to energy-efficiency mandates and related climate-policy restrictions. He has also supported legislation to repeal home electrification subsidies, streamline environmental review, and expand mining and power reliability measures.
Public Safety & Guns
Russell Fry has publicly aligned himself with pro-Second Amendment positions and has promoted legislation to let law-enforcement officers buy retired service weapons. His public record shows support for measures framed as protecting gun rights rather than expanding gun restrictions.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedAug 6, 2026
Russell Fry is in the news because he has entered South Carolina’s special Republican U.S. Senate primary to replace the late Lindsey Graham. He is part of a crowded field that includes Ralph Norman, Mark Sanford, Mark Lynch and Darline Graham, with early voting underway and the primary set for Aug. 11. Fry is also one of the candidates selected for the party’s debate ahead of the vote. The race could still go to a runoff on Aug. 25 if no one wins outright.
history.house.gov+54
Articles
WWIS102 days ago
Lexington County scrambles to prepare for Senate special primary as early voting begins statewide
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WWIS107 days ago
Candidates set for SC U.S. Senate Republican primary debate on Aug. 3
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SASanta Ana Orange County Register9 days ago
Lindsey Graham returns home one last time for South Carolina funeral
Neutral
WWIS1017 days ago
Candidates begin filing for the South Carolina Republican Senate primary
Neutral
Latest Polls
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Russell Fry currently averages 12.1%, ranking second in this race, 5.0 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 12.1%Position: secondMargin: -5.0 ptsLatest poll: 16.0% (Jul 28 - 30)Polls included: 8
Average recalculated from polls through Jul 28 - 30.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
South Carolina Republican Senate special primary winner?
Endorsers of Russell Fry for South Carolina Republican Senate special primary winner?
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
Total raisedCash on hand
$1.7M
$1.3M
$860.4K
$430.2K
$0
2022
2024
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2022
$1.4M
$209.7K
$1.2M
$50.8K
Cycle 2024
$1.5M
$561.2K
$1.2M
$48.3K
Cycle 2026
$1.7M
$1.0M
$1.2M
$69.1K
Source: FEC