Host Charlie James opens the program by addressing the aftermath of Senator Lindsey Graham’s sudden passing, noting that while the state has spent much of its time focused on the tragedy, South Carolina is currently operating without a state budget. James discusses the swearing-in of Graham's sister, Darline Graham Nordone, as the state's interim U.S. Senator, who will serve until January 3, 2027. He addresses the circumstances of Graham's death, sharing an audio clip from Senator Tommy Tuberville that clarifies how Graham's scheduler called 911 after Graham reported chest pains, thereby debunking ongoing conspiracy theories. Looking ahead, James touches on the emerging, legally complex battle to permanently fill the seat, highlighting announced candidates Mark Lynch and Ralph Norman, as well as potential complications for sitting Congressmen Russell Fry and William Timmons.

Monday, July 13th, 2026 - The Charlie James Show

HOUR 1

1st - Charlie James discusses Senator Lindsey Graham's death and mixed legacy.

2nd - Charlie James takes listener calls on Lindsey Graham's opportunist legacy.

3rd - Charlie James talks with Sherry Biggs on Lindsey Graham's passing & legacy.

4th - Mike Lee seeks to pass the SAVE America Act to honor Lindsey Graham's legacy.

HOUR 2

5th - McMaster appoints Darline Graham Nardone to fill Lindsey Graham's Seat

6th - Drew McKissick breaks down the voting rules for the new special primary

7th - Ralph Norman reflects on Lindsey Graham's legacy and constituent service

8th - Charlie James takes final listener calls concerning Lindsey Graham's legacy

HOUR 3

9th - Nate Leupp discusses Trump's looming endorsement to unite South Carolina

10th - Chuck shares recovery advice; Charlie James updates on special primary dates

11th - Mark Lynch officially enters the special primary to succeed Lindsey Graham

12th - Charlie James highlights potential candidates and fields listener calls.

HOUR 4

13th- Lee Bright critiques political systems; Mark Lynch rejoins Senate race

14th- Nate Leupp evaluates the truncated primary rules and dynamic campaign models

15th- Charlie James discusses election decorum and shares some vacation memories

16th- Charlie James discusses newly fast-tracked special primary election rules.

The fourth hour of The Charlie James Show primarily focuses on navigating the sudden medical and political fallout following the passing of South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham. Host Charlie James interacts with listeners who call in to share their medical perspectives on aortic dissections or express frustration regarding the compressed three-day early voting window and the overall timing of the upcoming August 11th special primary. James pushes back aggressively on a newly released campaign video by Democratic challenger Dr. Annie Andrews, forcefully arguing that her progressive political stances are fundamentally out of alignment with South Carolina's conservative voters. The broadcast wraps up with a breakdown of potential Republican contenders—including on-air candidate Mark Lynch—as well as anticipation surrounding an impending, strategic primary endorsement from Donald Trump.

In this opening segment of the third hour, host Charlie James checks in with local political figures to discuss the moving parts of the newly created election timeline. Nate Leupp, Chairman of the 4th District Republican Club, details the challenges of a condensed, four-week special primary window following Senator Lindsey Graham's passing. Leupp shifts his local strategy to focus exclusively on this crucial federal vacancy, arguing that the brevity of the cycle demands a candidate with ready-made campaign infrastructure and significant financial resources. He also anticipates a unifying endorsement from President Donald Trump, which he believes would help the party conserve critical financial reserves for the general election against Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews.

In this opening segment of the fourth hour, host Charlie James moderates a series of discussions reflecting the political shifts after Senator Lindsey Graham's passing. State Senator Lee Bright emphasizes that South Carolina needs a true conservative contest rather than a party coronation, pointing out the absolute irony that the newly scheduled August 11th special federal primary will land on the exact date state lawmakers previously claimed was too expensive to open for redistricting votes. Following Bright, businessman Mark Lynch officially announces his candidacy for the vacant Senate seat on the program. Lynch, who previously secured second place behind Graham in the regular primary on an "America First" platform, shares that he felt obligated to honor his base of conservative grassroots supporters. The segment concludes with Charlie James breaking down the newly fast-tracked special primary timeline, noting that early voting will be compressed into a three-day window ahead of the August vote.

In this segment of the program, host Charlie James checks in with local political figures to discuss the moving parts of the newly created election timeline. State Senator Lee Bright emphasizes that South Carolina needs a true conservative contest rather than a party coronation. Bright highlights the absolute irony that the newly scheduled August 11th special federal primary will land on the exact date state lawmakers previously claimed was too expensive to open for redistricting votes. Following Bright, businessman Mark Lynch joins the program to officially announce his candidacy for the vacant Senate seat. Lynch, who previously secured second place behind Graham in the regular primary on an "America First" platform, shares that he felt obligated to honor his base of conservative grassroots supporters.

Full Audio Transcript

In this third segment of the third hour, host Charlie James interviews State Senator Lee Bright and businessman Mark Lynch regarding the political shifts following the death of Senator Lindsey Graham. State Senator Lee Bright emphasizes that South Carolina needs a true conservative contest rather than a party coronation, pointing out the absolute irony that the newly scheduled August 11th special federal primary will land on the exact date state lawmakers previously claimed was too expensive to open for redistricting votes. Following Bright, businessman Mark Lynch officially announces his candidacy for the vacant Senate seat on the program. Lynch, who previously secured second place behind Graham in the regular primary on an "America First" platform, shares that he felt obligated to honor his base of conservative grassroots supporters. The hour concludes with Charlie James breaking down the newly fast-tracked special primary timeline, noting that early voting will be compressed into a three-day window ahead of the August vote.

In this final segment, host Charlie James interacts with callers regarding the sudden death of Senator Lindsey Graham and the appointment of his sister, Darline Graham Nardone, as an interim caretaker. He clarifies that Nardone's primary function will be to cast votes, hopefully aligned with President Trump's agenda, without the usual pressure of seeking long-term committee assignments. James also plays and critiques a campaign video from Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews, aggressively rejecting her platform as fundamentally opposed to the values of South Carolina conservatives. Finally, James addresses rumors that President Trump is poised to endorse Congressman Russell Fry from the 7th Congressional District for the upcoming special primary.

In this final segment, host Charlie James discusses the details of Nardone's voting role with a caller. He clarifies that Nardone's main function is to vote, hopefully aligning with President Trump's agenda, without the usual pressure of seeking committee assignments. James also plays and critiques a campaign video from Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews, aggressively rejecting her platform as fundamentally opposed to the values of South Carolina conservatives. Finally, James addresses rumors that President Trump is poised to endorse Congressman Russell Fry from the 7th Congressional District for the upcoming special primary.

In this segment, host Charlie James interviews Nate Leupp, the Chairman of the 4th District Republican Club, following the sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham. Leupp describes the shock of waking up to the news, initially wondering if it was an online hoax, before realizing the reality of losing their senior senator. Turning to the upcoming special primary, Leupp signals that he is adjusting his approach to focus on the unique stakes of this federal race rather than local ones. He expresses anticipation that Donald Trump will issue an endorsement to help narrow the crowded field, saving crucial campaign resources for the general election against Democrat Annie Andrews. Leupp notes that a short, four-week campaign season requires substantial funding and robust infrastructure, making a unifying endorsement highly critical.