Who's running in South Carolina's 7th congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Russell Fry currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Working with President Trump on his agenda.
Border security and getting fentanyl off the streets.
Keeping taxes low.
National security.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for South Carolina's 7th District since January 2023; reelected in 2024 with 65%.
Former South Carolina state representative.
Defeated incumbent Rep. Tom Rice in the 2022 Republican primary with 51%.
Finished third in the August 11, 2026 special Republican primary for US Senate and then endorsed Darline Graham.
Unopposed in the June 9, 2026 Republican House primary.
Arguments in favor
'We secured the border, we got fentanyl out of the streets. These are huge highlights… We're very proud to stand with President Trump to make sure people's taxes have stayed low.'
— Russell Fry, to WMBF News
Democrats 'want to block everything that the president stands for. But the people in this district, the people in this county, stand with President Trump.'
— Russell Fry, to WMBF News
Arguments against
Running for the Senate while keeping his House seat on the ballot shows the district is 'a fallback': 'You can't serve two masters… The families of the Pee Dee and the Grand Strand deserve a congressman who actually wants this job.'
— John Vincent, Democratic opponent, statement published by the South Carolina Democratic Party
He has a thin record — four bills introduced and passed in three years, none lowering grocery bills or saving rural hospitals — and voted with the Trump administration 98% of the time.
— Dr. Jeni Atchley, Vincent campaign manager, statement published by the South Carolina Democratic Party
What we couldn’t verify
The 98% voting figure cited by the Vincent campaign was not independently verified from the sources read.
Fry's campaign website could not be located.
Whether the candidates will debate had not been reported.
Reducing the national debt while protecting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
Lowering health care, grocery and gas costs.
Fighting 'government chaos' and cleaning up a dysfunctional Washington.
Supporting families and honouring veterans.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Retired US Navy command master chief petty officer (20 years, retired 2003).
Posted in May 2025 that he was suspending his campaign, then resumed nine days later; he called the wording a rookie mistake.
Unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
Voters see Washington as dysfunctional and 'more and more people are saying, we have to clean house'; his career has been about service, and he is running 'for one office, for one reason: the people of SC-7.'
— John Vincent, to WMBF News, and his campaign's statement published by the South Carolina Democratic Party
Arguments against
'He's a socialist wannabe pretending to be an everyday guy, pushing higher taxes, more regulations, and open-border policies that hurt our economy and make our communities less safe.'
— Russell Fry, Republican opponent, statement to the SC Daily Gazette
Voters will 'reject the reckless agenda of Zohran Mamdani and his fanboy John Vincent'.
— Russell Fry, Republican opponent, statement to the SC Daily Gazette (Vincent called the comparison a reach, describing himself as 'a very moderate guy')
What we couldn’t verify
Fry's statements did not cite specific Vincent proposals for higher taxes or open borders, and none were found in the sources read.
Vincent's campaign website and fundraising totals were not established.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
South Carolina held its primaries on June 9, 2026; neither party had a contested primary for this seat. November 3 is the general election, and there is no general-election runoff. The congressional map is unchanged for 2026: the South Carolina Supreme Court upheld it in September 2025, and a Trump-backed redraw passed by the state House after Louisiana v. Callais failed in the state Senate on May 26, 2026. Two candidates are certified as active on the State Election Commission's candidate tracking list: Republican incumbent Russell Fry and Democrat John Vincent. Fry also ran in the August 11, 2026 special Republican primary for the US Senate seat left vacant by Sen. Lindsey Graham's death while keeping his name on the House ballot; he finished third and endorsed Darline Graham, so he appears on the November ballot only for this seat. Republican Branden Brown is registered as a write-in candidate and is not included here. The district covers the Grand Strand, including Horry County, and much of the Pee Dee. Fry won reelection in 2024 with 65%.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A South Carolina ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at South Carolina Election Commission.