Former Rep. Joe Walsh is considering a bid against GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham

Joe Walsh Sets Sights on South Carolina Senate Race

Joe Walsh, the former congressman known for his Tea Party roots and current status as a right-wing radio host and self-proclaimed Never Trumper, is contemplating a significant career pivot. He is weighing a potential move to South Carolina to run as a Democratic candidate for the Senate, aiming to take on incumbent Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.

Recently becoming a registered Democrat, Walsh expressed to POLITICO his belief that the Democratic Party must adopt a more innovative and aggressive strategy in dealing with their Republican counterparts. “Democrats need to wake up and start doing things differently,” he asserted.

In a candid and colorful assessment of Graham, Walsh remarked, “I am seriously considering moving to South Carolina and challenging Lindsey Graham next year, because he’s a piece of shit. He’s everything that is wrong about our politics and the worst, most pathetic Trump enabler.” Walsh identifies himself as a “conservative” Democrat, which, in this context, seems to highlight the eclectic nature of modern political identities.

If Walsh enters the race, he will not be alone. Dr. Annie Andrews, a progressive candidate, has already announced her campaign for the Senate seat that has been a Republican stronghold for over fifty years. This could signal a growing challenge to the status quo in South Carolina politics.

Walsh served Illinois’ northwest suburbs in Congress from 2011 to 2013, and while his tenure was relatively brief, it appears to have sparked a long-lasting passion for political discourse. This upcoming Senate race could be a litmus test not only for Walsh’s political ambitions but also for the viability of a more diverse Democratic platform in a traditionally Republican state.

Graham’s previous campaign against Jaime Harrison was particularly noteworthy, as it became one of the most expensive races of the electoral cycle, accumulating nearly $200 million, with Harrison ultimately losing by a margin of ten percentage points. This context sets the stage for what could be another high-stakes battle in South Carolina, where both Walsh and Andrews could challenge Graham’s long-standing political dominance.