After a few polls last month showed Sen. Lindsey Graham tied or even trailing Democrat opponent Jaime Harrison, the last minute momentum in South Carolina appears to be with the Republican three-termer.
A just-completed Morning Consult poll showed Graham edging out former state Democratic Party Chairman Harrison 46% to 44% among likely voters statewide.
Morning Consult's findings came on the heels of similar results from the East Carolina University poll, which showed Graham leading Harrison 49% to 46%.
Graham was in all likelihood helped by his even-handed presiding over the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings that led to the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett.
In addition, the veteran senator got a boost on Oct. 1 when Spartanburg veterinarian and Constitution Party candidate Bill Bledsoe dropped out of the race to endorse Graham. Founded by the late national conservative activist Howard Phillips, the Constitution Party espouses a platform based on "biblical principles."
But some Republicans are a bit nervous.
"With Lindsey's natural abilities, street smarts, and the long history over his career of delivering constituent service, polls are tighter than expected," John Napier, former South Carolina Republican congressman and retired U.S. Court of Federal Claims judge, told Newsmax. "Jaime Harrison's advertising has been some of the most effective I have observed. They are both good candidates, well-financed and smart. Both are good debaters. The debates have shown no gaffes by either."
"It's tight," said Napier. "It's a dogfight."
John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.
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