Judge Orders South Carolina GOP to Restore Danny Ford II to Ballot

A Richland County judge ordered the South Carolina Republican Party and the South Carolina State Election Commission to include Danny Ford II on the ballot for the August 11 special GOP Senate primary. Judge Daniel Coble granted a preliminary injunction on August 4, ruling that Ford was likely denied due process after the party disqualified him under a new rule requiring candidates to be registered Republicans for 90 days and to have voted in two of the last three statewide Republican primaries.

Ford challenged the disqualification in a lawsuit, arguing that the party rule violated state and federal constitutions. His legal team further contended that the party applied the standards inconsistently, pointing to certified candidate Darline Graham as having a similar voting record. The South Carolina Republican Party argued that political parties have the authority to determine their own candidate qualifications and that the court should not interfere in an ongoing election.

The South Carolina Election Commission expressed concern that adding Ford back to the ballot so close to the start of early voting could disrupt the election schedule. Despite these objections, the court mandated Ford's restoration to the ballot for the primary triggered by the death of Senator Lindsey Graham. The winner of this primary will face Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews in the November general election.