Bright kicks off GOP challenge to US Sen. Graham

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — State Sen. Lee Bright says he is mounting a Republican primary challenge against U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham next year because South Carolina needs more conservative representation.

The Roebuck lawmaker said Tuesday that Graham is too friendly with Democrats. Bright also said Graham spends too much time on international affairs and should be focused more on domestic issues like border security.

Graham and Sen. John McCain traveled to Egypt last week to warn that the country may be in for prolonged violence without a dialogue between the military and the Muslim Brotherhood.

Bright was elected to the Senate in 2008. Two other candidates are already in the race to replace Graham, who was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 after Strom Thurmond stepped aside.

___

Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP