Graham refuses to support Trump, while other SC Republicans stand by party

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) said Friday he will not exercise his right to vote in the 2016 presidential race given the likely candidate choices.

“It’s hard to believe that in a nation of more than 300 million Americans, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will be our choices for president,” Graham said in a statement Friday.

Graham said he will “absolutely not vote” for Hillary Clinton because she “represents the third term of Barack Obama, and our nation cannot afford to continue those failed policies at home or abroad.”

“I also cannot in good conscience support Donald Trump because I do not believe he is a reliable Republican conservative nor has he displayed the judgment and temperament to serve as commander in chief,” Graham said.

Though Graham made it clear he will not be voting for either of the likely 2016 presidential candidates, he still encourages others to vote.

“I strongly encourage Republicans and Independents to vote even if you are disappointed in your choice for president,” he said.

Graham’s statement echoes House Speaker Paul Ryan’s position on supporting the GOP’s likely nominee. On Thursday, Ryan said he’s “just not ready” to support Trump.

Other candidates, however, have vowed to stick with their party in the November election, even with Trump as the party’s pick for president.

Sen. Tim Scott’s campaign spokeswoman, Margaret Spaulding, issued a statement on his behalf this week, saying, “As (Scott) has consistently said over the past year, he will support the Republican nominee.”

Spaulding added, “Now that Donald Trump is the presumptive Republican nominee, the Senator will do what he can to assist his campaign; however, his focus will remain on his own reelection and serving the people of South Carolina.”

Gov. Nikki Haley also said this week she will be supporting Trump if he is the Republican nominee.

"I have great respect for the will of the people, and as I have always said, I will support the Republican nominee for president,” Haley said in a statement.

State Sen. Tom Davis (R- Beaufort), issued a statement to the Island Packet on Friday saying he will be supporting Trump if nominated by the party, even though he didn’t support him in the primary.

“I didn’t support Mr. Trump in the primary process because I strongly disagree with some of what he has said and proposed,” Davis said. “But I disagree even more strongly and more often with what Hillary Clinton stands for, and the only way she doesn’t become president is if the Republican Party’s nominee is elected. So if Mr. Trump ends up being the GOP nominee, I will support him.”

Rep. Mark Sanford has not said this week whether or not he will be voting for Trump. In an email to the Island Packet Friday, a Sandford spokesperson said he’s working on a statement that will likely be out within the next few days.

This story was originally published May 6, 2016 at 4:34 PM with the headline "Graham refuses to support Trump, while other SC Republicans stand by party."