Jun 12, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Rep. William Timmons prevails in South Carolina 4th District primary race

Juliegrace Brufke

UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 26: Rep. William Timmons, R-S.C., leaves a meeting of the House Republican Conference at Capitol Hill Club on Tuesday, October 26, 2021. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) — Rep. William Timmons on Capitol Hill in 2021. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Rep. William Timmons prevailed in his primary against State Rep. Adam Morgan, after several conservative hardliners came out against him in his race to retain the Republican nomination for South Carolina's 4th Congressional District, AP projects.

Why it matters: Timmons, who was first elected to the deep-red district in 2018, consistently voted with conservatives, yet faced a primary challenger from the right over his former support of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

National GOP operatives told Axios the race was "uncomfortably close" in the days leading up to the primary election.

The intrigue: Timmons' race is one of several heated primaries that demonstrates the heated infighting between the different factions within the House GOP.

Timmons had a significant cash advantage in the race and the endorsement of former President Trump giving him an edge in the race. But Morgan garnered some key endorsements that resonate with the GOP base.
A handful of of conservative hardliners opted to endorse Morgan, a cofounder of the South Carolina Freedom Caucus. These included House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good (R-Va.), Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah).

The big picture: Leadership has repeatedly called on its members to stop taking aim at their colleagues in races in an effort to project an image of unity as the look to hold onto the majority.

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Rep. William Timmons prevails in South Carolina 4th District primary race

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