Graham easily defeats Conley for a 2nd term
Winner vows to keep government growth and spending in check
South Carolina U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham didn't have trouble turning out supporters Tuesday, even as he spent the waning hours of the election with two-time GOP presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain.
Graham, a Republican, sailed to a second six-year term representing South Carolina in the U.S. Senate with 58 percent of the vote to Democratic challenger Bob Conley's 42 percent, according to early and unofficial returns.
The results are based on 2,039 of the 2,291 of the precincts reporting.
"We will go back to Washington to try to keep from growing government and spending more of your tax money and try to find solutions to the hard problems," Graham, 53, told supporters via a conference call from Arizona.
Graham is a colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
He has served in the U.S. Senate since 2002, in the U.S. House from 1994 to 2002 and in the S.C. House from 1992 to 1994.
Graham angered much of his Republican base when he supported a controversial immigration plan last year.
The issue served as the basis for Graham's primary opponent Buddy Witherspoon, whom he defeated by a 2-1 margin.
Conley, 43, was considered a long shot, having raised less than 1 percent of the money in Graham's war chest and being rejected by Democratic party leaders.
Reach Yvonne Wenger at ywenger@postandcourier.com or 803-799-9051.
E-mail this story 
Printer-friendly version
Notice about comments:
The Post and Courier is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. The Post and Courier does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "suggest removal" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our Web site.
Full terms and conditions can be read here.
Comments
This article has 10 comment(s)
Posted by Weeeee on November 5, 2008 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cool. Now, Graham can support Obama's amnesty bill. I voted for Conley.
Posted by notafan on November 5, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Obviously this election meant so much to Graham. So much so that he could not even be bothered to be in the state on elction day. He gave his victory speech over the telephone.
If there is anyone left in Mexico they are celebrating right now as they make their way to the border.
Posted by commonsence on November 5, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congrats to all of you who ONCE AGAIN voted for a state or federal incumbent. You will be the same people who will complain and moan for the next 6 years about the incompetence and corruption in government. We get the "leadership" we deserve...
Posted by Kerry on November 5, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Looks like the television will have to remain off at my house on Sunday mornings for several more years, but at least no one will have to listen to the "team" of Graham and McCain much longer on the political talk shows. I am an Independent who usually votes Republican, but I voted against Graham again in an attempt to fix things in SC. I wonder why I keep wasting my time.
Posted by proudmomma on November 5, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I voted early on Friday, and there was no opposition on the ballot for the Graham race. Did anyone else have that issue? I have spoken to a few others with the same dilemma.
Posted by KidYendor on November 5, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I voted for Conley and agree with Kerry. Everyone is mad at government and the way things are and the stupid things our senators support and vote for. Yet when we have a good candidate to take the reigns away so we can rejoice in the defeat of liberals and neocons, nothing happens and the same old incumbent ideas and actions are allowed to continue. South Carolina has to bear much shame for not getting rid of Lindsey thereby allowing our country to continue on its socialistic path. As Kerry said in sadness, we wonder why we keep wasting our time to fix things.
Posted by UrGatorbait on November 5, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well said KidYonder
Posted by coolfreaknbeans on November 5, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I voted for Conley. Lindsey didnt get my vote. Illegal immigration is a big issue for me and Grahamnesty fails miserably on that issue. I'm baffled that he won. As most know I am a republican. Every republican I know voted for Conley. I think he won for two reasons 1)people voting a straight ticket and 2)the democratic votes
Posted by downtownsurvivor on November 5, 2008 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Lindsey is a NANCY BOY!
Posted by dreyn on November 5, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't think of another politician who holds his constituency in such contempt. Maybe Murtha. I have never disliked a politician personally as much as I dislike our Log Cabin Republican. I wish he would quit mentioning that he is is in the service. Kind ofr a slap at 'Don't ask-don't tell'. Guess he'll have to find another butt to hang onto now that McCain lost.