Graham faces longshot GOP challenger in S.C. primary

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham looked to fend off a Republican challenge during primary elections Tuesday that will test what South Carolinians think about his strong ties to John McCain and their work on a failed illegal immigration measure.

Challenger Buddy Witherspoon, a retired orthodontist and former Republican National Committee member, has criticized the one-term incumbent as too liberal for this conservative state. Graham has even taken heat on the immigration reform from the Democratic side of the ballot; two newcomers to state politics also seek their party’s nomination for the seat Tuesday.

But Graham has a dominating war chest and name recognition and few observers believed his re-election bid was in danger. McCain, after all, did win the January primary here and Graham has used his endorsement in television ads.

“My re-election, I think, will benefit South Carolina because if he gets to be president, South Carolina’s interests will have a receptive audience due to our relationship,“ Graham told The Associated Press in a recent interview. “I want to help him do the hard things.“

It’s a description that fits the immigration measure, which would have provided a path to citizenship. At the state GOP convention a year ago, the crowd booed and shouted “No” at Graham’s explanations of the bill. He became the butt of criticism from conservatives and Rush Limbaugh labeled the proposal “Grahamnesty.“

But Graham has a huge financial advantage over all comers. His most recent filing showed he spent $3.2 million through May 21 and had $4.5 million on hand. Witherspoon had spent $211,356 and had $94,484 on hand after borrowing $220,000 to run his campaign.

Graham, 52, is an Air Force Reserve colonel and has served in Iraq as the only uniformed member of the U.S. Senate.

The lawyer grew was born in Seneca and grew up watching his parents run a restaurant, pool hall and liquor store. When they died 15 months apart as he finished his degree at the University of South Carolina, he adopted his younger sister Darline when she was 13.

Witherspoon, a 69-year-old Navy veteran, characterizes himself as a devout Christian who opposes abortion and gay marriage and knocks Graham for being “joined at the hip” with McCain. He says he’s playing the role of David vs. Goliath in the race, and wants to severely crack down on businesses that knowingly hire illegal workers.

Graham’s two lightly funded Democratic challengers, Mount Pleasant attorney Michael Cone and North Myrtle Beach engineer Bob Conley, also knock him as backing an illegal immigration plan they call amnesty. Conley had $961 on hand and hard raised $9,588 in contributions and a $2,400 personal loan. Michael Cone had $371 on hand after raising $1,929 and a loan of $9,500.