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Former S.C. Democratic Party chief considering Lindsey Graham challenge

‘I don’t know what Lindsey’s been sniffing, but there’s something wrong,’ Jaime Harrison says

Jaime Harrison, seen here speaking at the Democratic National Convention in 2016, is considering challenging South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Jaime Harrison, seen here speaking at the Democratic National Convention in 2016, is considering challenging South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Former South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Jaime Harrison is “giving serious consideration” to challenging Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham in 2020, and will make a final decision in the next two weeks.

“We are really leaning into this,” Harrison said Thursday morning on The Bill Press Show.

Harrison, now the associate chair and counsel at the Democratic National Committee, said he wasn’t ready to make an announcement, in part, because he doesn’t have a website up and running. 

Harrison’s comments came in response to a question from Press who asked: “what the hell is up with Lindsey Graham,” and if there was someone willing to challenge him.

The three-term senator has shifted from a noted critic of President Donald Trump to a frequent ally and defender. 

“I don’t know what Lindsey’s been sniffing, but there’s something wrong,” Harrison said of the new Senate Judiciary Committee chairman. 

Harrison is the author of the recent book “Climbing the Hill,” along with Republican staffer Amos Snead. The book includes interviews with both of their former bosses, as well as Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, just to name a few.

It also illustrates how, as staffers, reaching across the aisle gave them a boost.

After landing an internship with Rep. James E. Clyburn, Harrison rose to floor director and counselor for the majority whip before returning to his native South Carolina. 

Any Democrat will likely have an uphill climb in the Palmetto State, which Trump carried by 14 points in 2016. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the Senate race Solid Republican

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