Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is reportedly receiving encouragement from Republican power brokers to run for the South Carolina Senate seat left vacant following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Scott Bessent urged to run
According to Politico, Bessent, a South Carolina native who has maintained a home in the state while serving in Washington, has been contacted by supporters about a potential bid.
Bessent was “fielding calls from people asking him to run, according to a person familiar with the communications,” the outlet reported. “Another person close to Bessent said his interest is staying on as Treasury secretary, a role he’s long wanted.”
A Treasury Department spokesperson “had no immediate comment,” according to the report.
Filling Lindsey Graham’s seat
The scramble over Graham’s seat began shortly after news of the longtime senator’s death — and continued after South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, as interim senator.
President Donald Trump told NBC News he had “someone in mind” for Graham’s seat but did not identify a preferred candidate.
Outgoing Rep. Nancy Mace said she is not seeking an interim appointment from McMaster and suggested he could even take the role himself.
“I told the governor this morning that, I suggested that he should nominate himself,” Mace previously told CNN’s Fredericka Whitfield. “He can do that, to be a sort of caretaker in between now and January 3. And then there would be a special election.”
“I’m not pursuing it. I’m told that Joe Wilson’s not pursuing it, that interim appointment, because we need every vote that we can have for the president in the House as it stands today,” Mace clarified.
Nancy Mace could run
While ruling out the interim appointment, Mace left open the possibility of running in the special election.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t look at [running for the seat] … but right now, my focus is going to be on mourning Lindsey Graham and honoring his legacy,” she said.
Politico reported that a special Republican candidate filing period will open July 21 and remain open for one week. A primary is scheduled for August 11, with a runoff on August 25 if no candidate receives a majority. The eventual Republican nominee will face Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews in November for a full six-year Senate term beginning in January.
