Jaime Harrison Wants You To Watch Him Win

https://www.essence.com/feature/jaime-harrison-south-carolina-senate-race-lindsey-graham/

Jaime Harrison Wants You To Watch Him Win
By Tanya A. Christian · May 26, 2020
The Democratic candidate running to unseat Lindsey Graham is ready to send the three-time Republican incumbent packing.


“I’m Jaime Harrison and I’m running for the United States Senate here in South Carolina.”

When I sat down with Harrison, the 44-year-old Democrat looking to replace Lindsey Graham in the United States Senate, it’s obvious he’s spent some time perfecting his pitch — at least I’m sold. As quickly as he states his name for the camera I’ve brought in to capture our exchange, he begins to explain why he’s so vested in defeating his three-term Republican incumbent and the long-serving member in Congress who, as of late, is less known for his stance on a strong national defense than he is for doing a complete 180 on his feelings toward Donald Trump.

Posturing ourselves at a quiet table on King Street in Charleston, South Carolina, Harrison shares with ESSENCE that Graham’s decision to put his relationship with the impeached president over his commitment to his constituents is exactly why he decided to enter the race. “Lindsey Graham is just rolling over to do whatever Donald Trump wants,” Harrison chides. “I’m going to give him an opportunity to be a full-time pundit on Fox News while I go to Washington, DC and do the work of the people.”

Though the nature of politics requires that Harrison point out his competitor’s flaws, he graciously admits that the former South Carolina Congressman wasn’t always that way. “I like to say there are two Lindsey Graham’s; there’s Lindsey Graham 1.0 and 2.0. Lindsey Graham. The 1.0 version used to get support from Democrats and Independents and Republicans” Harrison asserts, laying the groundwork for the reasoning as to why he’s attempting to win in a deep red state. “This new Lindsey Graham is not getting that type of support. And it’s because people want to send him home. They are tired of the pandering.”

Though the former Congressional aide to House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn is clear about why Graham should no longer remain on Capitol Hill, he’s even more clear on why he’s the best person to fight for South Carolina. Harrison is a native of Orangeburg, the son of a teen mom who was raised by working-class grandparents and understands all too well the struggles of rural Americans. But beyond that, he’s in love with the state that reared him, developed his passion for people and then called him back home to help serve its interests.

snip//

“They told me I couldn’t go to law school, and I went to Georgetown. They told me I would just be a regular staffer on Capitol Hill and I ended up being one of the top ones there. Right now they’re saying, once again, ‘You can’t win in the United States Senate.’ And I’m telling them — watch me.”