Brandon Brown campaign opens Orangeburg office in fight to unseat Senator Lindsey Graham
ORANGEBURG, SC (WOLO) –Supporters of candidate for U.S. Senate Brandon Brown held a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday morning for the opening of Brown’s first campaign office.
Located on Saint Paul Street, the ribbon cutting marks the first office opening by a Democrat in the race to unseat Republican incumbent – Senator Lindsey Graham.
Unexpectedly, Brown’s father Bennie Brown, Jr. was hospitalized leaving him unable to attend the opening.
In a statement, Brown told ABC Columbia’s Lee Williams in part, “I want to begin by thanking our incredible team, volunteers, and supporters who showed up this morning to open our Orangeburg campaign office. Your commitment and energy mean more to me than I can fully express. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the office opening due to a family health emergency that arose early this morning. That responsibility required my immediate attention.”
His campaign manager, Brandon Upson, spoke on his behalf saying he believes Republicans have wreaked havoc on SC communities for decades.
“This campaign is not about right versus left, it’s about the future versus the past, and we refuse to go backwards,” says Upson, adding he believes Senator Graham represents everything that is wrong with American politics today.
“Lindsey Graham has been pushing Project 2025. He was the one heading the charge for the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” and that agenda and that bill is going to cost lives. It’s going to cost livelihoods,” says Upson.
Brown addressed Graham at last month’s King Day at the Dome event at the State House.
“And all he does is suck up to this evil president and it is time for somebody not afraid to stand up and fight!” says Brown.
Williams reached out to Graham’s team for comment. His Press Secretary Abby Zilch responded by saying, “The more you support and enact President Trump’s agenda, the more Democrats want to take you down. This November, voters have a choice for who they want to keep the border secure and grow our future. Schumer or President Trump? Senator Graham stands with the president every time and is proud to have President Trump’s ‘complete and total endorsement.'”
“That is an example of Lindsey Graham’s m.o., right? All bluster and no substance. He will say whatever he needs to say to make sure he maintains favor with Donald Trump. He is all about power, not the people.,” says Upson, adding he believes SC can “go blue.”
“We have the numbers and folks have the will to get rid of Lindsey Graham, but it starts with organizing, meeting people where they are, and building the infrastructure to turn out the vote,” says Upson.
Brown’s father has since been released from the hospital with Brown saying, “I’m grateful to share that we are now in the process of returning home from the hospital and I will be back on the campaign trail tomorrow. I’m deeply appreciative of the prayers, well-wishes, and understanding we’ve received. I am especially proud of our campaign team, who never missed a beat and delivered a successful office opening in Orangeburg.”
Election Day is November 3rd.
Republicans Paul Dans and Mark Lynch, as well as Democrats Dr. Annie Andrews and Catherine Fleming Bruce are also vying for Graham’s seat.
