Nikki Haley Declines to Run for South Carolina Senate Seat

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley will not run in the special election to fill the seat of the late Senator Lindsey Graham. Her spokesperson said, “although she has served as governor, UN ambassador and presidential candidate, she has no plan to run.”

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster can appoint an interim senator, but has not named a replacement. President Donald Trump said he has a “person who I think would be very good,” but declined to identify the individual.

Filing for candidates opens on July 21 and closes on July 28, with a Republican primary scheduled for August 11 and a possible runoff on August 25. Potential GOP contenders include Congresswoman Nancy Mace, Rep. Ralph Norman, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, and businessman Mark Linc. The November general election will pit the Republican nominee against Democrat Annie Andrews. Inside Elections rates the seat as leaning Republican.