Lindsey Graham Says He's 'Getting Killed' In Campaign Cash Because Foes 'Hate My Guts'
An angry Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) complained that he’s “getting killed” financially in his reelection bid, complaining about money his challenger is raising from people who “hate my guts.”
Graham claimed in an interview with Fox News that Democrat Jaime Harrison “will raise” $100 million for the campaign to topple him on Nov. 3., which he said will set a state record.
The three-term incumbent likely was exaggerating. But Harrison reportedly raised about $9 million in the 72 hours after the death late last week of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (in his comments on Fox, Graham put the figure at $6 million).
Ginsburg’s death has heightened the stakes in the already hugely consequential election. And Graham, as chairman of the Seate Judiciary Committee, is in the middle of the controversy sparked by the Republican push to confirm a Ginsburg replacement before the next president takes office after he and other GOP leaders thwarted then-President Barack Obama from filling a high court vacancy in 2016 because the White House was up for grabs that year.
The last official campaign finance reports for the South Carolina race showed Graham with an edge. He had raised $29 million, according to Federal Election Commission filings in late June, with Harrison had taken in raised $28 million. As of the end of that month, reported $15 million in cash reserves, compared with Harrison’s $10.2 million.
This is delicious. pic.twitter.com/kWlCd5DAzY
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) September 24, 2020
In his Thursday comment, Graham said, “I’m being killed financially. This money is because they hate my guts.”
In predicting Harrison would end up with $100 million in contributions, he said, “The most money ever spent in the history of the state on a Senate race in this state was by me in 2014, when I spent $13 million.”
Graham had floated his short-of-cash lament earlier this week on Fox, pleading for donations. His complaint on...
