Judge Keeps Danny Ford II on SC Senate Ballot

A circuit court judge granted an emergency temporary restraining order to keep Danny Ford II on the special Republican primary ballot for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the death of Senator Lindsey Graham. Ford filed the lawsuit in Richland County against the South Carolina Republican Party and the South Carolina State Election Commission after the party disqualified him based on a rule effective July 1. This rule requires candidates to have voted in two of the last three statewide Republican primaries.

Ford argues the requirement is unconstitutional, contending that only the South Carolina General Assembly possesses the authority to set candidate qualifications. He asserts that he met the voting requirements through his participation in the June 9 primary and June 23 runoff during his campaign for Commissioner of Agriculture. He is seeking a permanent injunction to invalidate the rules and ensure his reinstatement on the August 11 primary ballot.

Judge Daniel M. Coble issued the temporary order, citing a likelihood of immediate and irreparable harm to the candidate. South Carolina Republican Party Chair Drew McKissick disputed the legal action, arguing that Ford targeted the wrong entity since the election commission controls the ballot. A preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for August 3, 2026, at the Richland County Courthouse, ahead of early voting which begins August 6.