Russell Fry rose to national prominence in 2022 when he defeated six-term incumbent Tom Rice in the Republican primary, largely due to Rice's vote to impeach Donald Trump following January 6th. A former state legislator and attorney, Fry positioned himself as a staunch Trump ally and conservative voice, earning the former president's endorsement in what became one of the most closely watched primary battles of the midterm cycle. His victory represented a clear shift toward Trump-aligned politics in South Carolina's coastal 7th District.