Former Rep. Trey Gowdy may have left Congress years ago, but a new poll suggests South Carolina Republicans have not forgotten him.
According to a survey conducted by Peak Insights, Gowdy is the overwhelming favorite among likely Republican primary voters to succeed the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, even though the former congressman has repeatedly indicated he has no interest in returning to elected office.
The poll comes ahead of the Aug. 11 Republican primary to fill the remainder of Graham’s Senate term following his recent death.
Among 900 Republican voters surveyed, Gowdy received 38 percent support, putting him well ahead of the rest of the field.
Rep. Ralph Norman placed second with 13 percent, followed by Rep. Russell Fry and appointed Sen. Darline Graham Nordone, who each received 9 percent support. Businessman Mark Lynch drew 7 percent, while outgoing Rep. Nancy Mace registered 6 percent.
The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.
It’s official. I’m running to represent South Carolina in the United States Senate. 🇺🇸
Today, I’m stepping forward to carry my brother Lindsey’s legacy on behalf of the people of South Carolina.
President Trump told me, “Run, Darline, Run.” With his support, I’m running all the… pic.twitter.com/2k9CVOJJuc
— Darline Graham (@DarlineGrahamSC) July 20, 2026
Gowdy represented South Carolina’s 4th Congressional District from 2011 through 2019, earning a national profile through his work as a federal prosecutor and later as chairman of the House Oversight Committee and the Select Committee on Benghazi. Since leaving Congress, he has become a Fox News host and has shown little public interest in seeking another political office.
Even so, prominent Republicans continue to speak highly of him.
“Trey would be an amazing senator for South Carolina,” Sen. Tim Scott recently told Fox News.
The poll also tested the impact of President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Darline Graham Nordone, Lindsey Graham’s sister, who was appointed to fill the vacant seat until voters choose a permanent replacement.
Even after respondents were reminded of Trump’s endorsement, Gowdy remained in first place.
His support dipped slightly to 35 percent, while Nordone nearly doubled her backing, climbing from 9 percent to 16 percent and moving into second place.
Despite the strong showing, Gowdy appears unlikely to enter the race.
A representative for the former congressman told reporters that Gowdy “has not had any conversations about the open Senate seat and does not have any interest in it.”
Trump, meanwhile, has enthusiastically backed Nordone’s candidacy.
In a Truth Social post, the president described her as “a spectacular person, and a true American Patriot.”
“Lindsey was one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, and his sister shares his deep love of our Country, and the State of South Carolina,” Trump wrote.
He added that “there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey.”
Trump concluded by offering his full support should Nordone continue her campaign.
“Darline, who comes from an absolutely incredible family, has been a WINNER all of her life and, should she accept, has my Complete and Total Endorsement in the Special Election for U.S. Senate in South Carolina,” he wrote.
