Lindsay Graham, the long-serving senator from South Carolina, is currently facing a challenge from Thomas David Murphy, a Navy veteran who has been gaining traction among conservatives. Graham, who has incited anger among Trump supporters due to his perceived betrayal of the president and his conservative principles, is regarded as one of the least favored Republicans in the Senate.

For context, conservatives have long utilized the term RINO, or Republican In Name Only, as a derogatory label for politicians who abandon their constituents by embracing Swamp Politics once they are established in Washington.

In any event, Project Constitution, a conservative news outlet, published a widely circulated post on X on June 2, 2025, which informed the public about Murphy’s background. The post began with, “This Guy is Challenging RINO Lindsey Graham for his Senate Seat. Let’s Share the Hell out of this and get His Name Out There. Graham Must be Primaried in the Midterms.

Providing context, the post stated, “Thomas David Murphy is a retired U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman and a declared candidate challenging incumbent Senator Lindsey Graham in the 2026 Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat in South Carolina.”

Detailing the conservative’s distinguished service, the post noted, “Murphy served over two decades in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman, with multiple deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He is a combat veteran and, notably, an amputee, serving as a goalkeeper on USA Hockey’s amputee team. His military background is a cornerstone of his campaign, emphasizing service and sacrifice.”

Exploring further into his background, the post disclosed, “Murphy resides in South Carolina and is engaged in local community activities. His campaign website and public statements highlight his identity as a patriot and family man…Murphy officially announced his candidacy on February 23, 2025, to challenge Lindsey Graham in the 2026 Republican primary. His campaign is framed as a push for “absolute conservatism” and accountability to South Carolina voters over lobbyists.”

Clarifying the motivations behind this courageous patriot’s decision to run for office, the author wrote, “Murphy’s decision to run arises from dissatisfaction with Graham’s lengthy tenure and perceived policy shifts, particularly regarding global military engagements and progressive policies. He has criticized Graham for depleting taxpayer funds, notably citing Graham’s involvement in Ukraine as an example of misplaced priorities.

Continuing to elaborate on his firm conservative principles, Project Constitution highlighted that Murphy “Advocates for lowering taxes and reducing deficit spending” and “Supports school choice to enhance parental control over education.” The same post detailed how he “Opposes global military engagements, favoring a non-interventionist stance,” and is a “Strong defender of the First and Second Amendments.”

Concluding the post with additional insights into the Navy veteran’s robust conservative values, they stated, “Supports term limits for Congress and the Senate, a ban on stock trading by Congress members, and the repeal of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies.”

In describing his political background, the post remarked, “Murphy has been politically active, supporting South Carolina Senate candidate Zoe Warren in 2024 and various Lexington County school board candidates, indicating a history of grassroots involvement,” further noting, “He maintains an active online presence, with a campaign website https://thomasmurphy4sc.com and social media engagement, particularly on X, where he has directly called for support from conservative influencers like Charlie Kirk.”