Tim Scott pushes Trey Gowdy for Senate seat as South Carolina GOP scramble begins

The race to replace Sen. Lindsey Graham is already underway, and one prominent South Carolina Republican is making it clear who he wants in the seat.

Sen. Tim Scott publicly backed former Congressman Trey Gowdy on Sunday as a potential successor to Graham, who died unexpectedly over the weekend at age 71. According to multiple reports, Scott has been personally reaching out to Republican leaders and allies to advocate for Gowdy as a temporary appointment to serve out the remainder of Graham’s term, which expires at the end of the year.

The endorsement instantly vaulted Gowdy to the top tier of names being discussed in South Carolina Republican circles.

Gowdy, a former federal prosecutor and one-time chairman of the House Benghazi Committee, became a household name among conservatives during the Obama years. His relentless questioning of Hillary Clinton administration officials during the Benghazi investigation made him one of the GOP’s most recognizable congressional figures. Since leaving Congress in 2019, Gowdy has remained active in conservative media and currently hosts a weekend program on Fox News.

Scott and Gowdy have maintained a close friendship dating back to their arrival in Congress as part of the Republican wave election of 2010. The two lawmakers later co-authored a book together and have frequently appeared alongside one another at political and civic events throughout South Carolina.

Sen. Tim Scott just now on @CNN on former Rep. Trey Gowdy being floated to replace Lindsey Graham in the Senate:

“Trey Gowdy would be a fantastic placeholder, but certainly there are other names in the mix…there’s no doubt in my mind that Trey would serve well.”

— Julia Manchester (@JuliaManch) July 13, 2026

The vacancy was created after Graham’s death from what medical officials identified as an aortic dissection resulting from arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Graham had represented South Carolina in the Senate since 2003 and had already secured the Republican nomination for another term in office.

Despite Scott’s lobbying effort, the decision ultimately rests with Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, who is expected to appoint a temporary replacement in the coming days. Reports indicate McMaster may be considering several options, including Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and other prominent Republicans.

South Carolina lost a statesman and I’ve lost a friend.

My prayers are with his sister and the rest of his family.

From his humble beginnings to the Senate floor, Lindsey always led with faith, family, and South Carolina first.

Lindsey remained committed to public service… https://t.co/9xc8jcbp1k

— Tim Scott (@votetimscott) July 12, 2026

President Donald Trump added another layer of intrigue Sunday when he revealed that he has a preferred candidate in mind.

“I have somebody that I think would be great,” Trump reportedly said, declining to identify the individual publicly.

That comment has fueled speculation throughout South Carolina political circles, with Republican activists attempting to determine whether Trump’s preferred choice aligns with Scott’s push for Gowdy or points in an entirely different direction.

The appointment will be temporary, but it could have significant political consequences. South Carolina Republicans are moving toward a special primary election scheduled for August to determine who will appear on the November ballot. Democrat Annie Andrews has already secured her party’s nomination and is waiting to learn who her Republican opponent will be.

While the state remains reliably Republican, the sudden vacancy has created one of the most closely watched Senate succession battles in the country. Graham’s decades of seniority gave South Carolina considerable influence in Washington, particularly on judicial confirmations, foreign policy matters and budget negotiations. His replacement will inherit a seat carrying enormous expectations from Republican voters both inside and outside the Palmetto State.