Early in this cycle, there was speculation that GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham might be vulnerable in a primary. Some stalwart Republicans are unhappy with Graham’s position on immigration and his high-profile role in Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign.
For all the talk, though, a first-tier primary opponent to Graham never emerged. He did face a challenge from orthodontist and Republican National Committeeman Buddy Witherspoon. Graham ran like he faced a real threat, airing both radio and television ads. According to reports filed with the FEC before the June 10 primary, Witherspoon had raised $399,353, but $220,000 of that came in the form of a personal loan to the campaign.
Graham easily won the primary with 67 percent of the vote to Witherspoon’s 33 percent. Witherspoon did win one county, the GOP stronghold of Greenville, where he prevailed over the incumbent by 287 votes. Even before the primary, Greenville seemed to be the geographical center of unhappiness with Graham.
No first-tier challenger stepped up on the Democratic side, and the party hosted a two-way contest between attorney Michael Cone and engineer
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