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Russell Fry

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Russell Fry
Official portrait, 2025
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from South Carolina's 7th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded byTom Rice
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives
from the 106th district
In office
September 19, 2015 – November 14, 2022
Preceded byNelson Hardwick
Succeeded byThomas Val Guest
Personal details
BornRussell William Fry
(1985-01-31) January 31, 1985 (age 41)
Surfside Beach, South Carolina, U.S.
PartyRepublican
SpouseBronwen Fry
Children1
EducationUniversity of South Carolina (BA)
Charleston School of Law (JD)
WebsiteHouse website
Campaign website

Russell William Fry (born January 31, 1985) is an American politician and lawyer serving as the U.S. representative for South Carolina's 7th congressional district since 2023.[1] Previously, he represented the 106th District in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2015 to 2023.[2][3] He is a member of the Republican Party.

Fry was first elected to Congress in 2022 after defeating incumbent Tom Rice in the Republican primary. He was a candidate in the U.S. Senate special primary to replace Lindsey Graham, following his death. He placed third in the primary.[4]

Early life and education

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Fry was born on January 31, 1985 in Surfside Beach, South Carolina to Matthew and Sunny Fry. When growing up his family lived paycheck to paycheck in a typical home with no central Heating or Air conditioning. He has said that this taught him the value of hard work.[2][5] When the September 11 attacks attack happened, Fry was a teenager and he has said that this event had influences his Patriotism and wanting to get into Public service.

He was an active member of the Boy scouts of America and he had earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the year of 2003.[2][6]

Fry attended and graduated from Socastee High School in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.[7] Fry then attended the University of South Carolina and he worked to self fund his education and he graduated in 2007 with a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Political science and a minor in Business administration.

South Carolina House of Representatives (2015-2022)

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In May 2015, State Representative Nelson Hardwick announced his resignation after House leadership investigated sexual harassment allegations against him.[8] Fry ran in the special election for Hardwick's seat. He won a plurality of the vote in the Republican primary in July and advanced to a runoff against Tyler Servant.[9] Fry won the runoff, and was unopposed in the general election.[10] In 2018, he was appointed to the position of Majority Chief Whip for the 122nd South Carolina General Assembly.[11]

U.S. House of Representatives (2023-present)

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Elections

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2022

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Official portrait, 2023

In the aftermath of the 2021 United States Capitol attack, Tom Rice, who was serving as the U.S. representative for South Carolina's 7th congressional district, unexpectedly voted in favor of impeaching President Donald Trump.[12] Fry criticized Rice for his vote, and said he was considering running against him in 2022.[13] In August 2021, Fry announced that he would challenge Rice in the 2022 election, emphasizing his opposition to Trump's impeachment.[14] On February 1, 2022, Trump endorsed Fry.[15] In the June 14 Republican primary, Fry defeated Rice by 26.6 percentage points.[16] On November 8, Fry was elected to Congress with 64.9% of the vote, defeating Democratic nominee Daryl Scott.

2024

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2026

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2022 Republican primary results by precinct
  Fry
  •   20–30%
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  Rice
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   90–100%
  Arthur
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  Barton
  •   20–30%
  •   30–40%
  Richardson
  •   30–40%

Tenure

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Fry was elected to serve as the president of the congressional freshman class during orientation week.[17][18] On January 16, 2023, it was announced that Fry would serve on the House Judiciary Committee.[19]

Caucus memberships

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Political positions

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Syria

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In 2023, Fry was among 47 Republicans to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[21][22]

Somalia

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In 2023, Fry was among 52 Republicans who voted in favor H.Con.Res. 30, which would remove American troops from Somalia.[23][24]

Antisemitism

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Fry was among the 187 Republicans who voted in favor of H.R. 6090: The Antisemitism Awareness Act.[25] The act would require the use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism "when reviewing or investigating complaints of discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance."[26] The American Civil Liberties Union, along with other organizations, warned against the adoption of this definition as it could limit free speech surrounding criticism of Israel on college campuses.[27][28]

Israel

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Fry voted to provide Israel with support following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[29][30]

Electoral history

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106th District General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Russell Fry (incumbent) 13,198 68.38
TOTAL Robin Gause 6,088 31.54
Democratic Robin Gause 5,779 29.94
Working Families Robin Gause 182 0.94
American Robin Gause 127 0.66
Write-in 14 0.07
Total votes 19,300 100.0
Republican hold
106th District general election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Russell Fry (incumbent) 13,198 68.38
TOTAL Robin Gause 6,088 31.54
Democratic Robin Gause 5,779 29.94
Working Families Robin Gause 182 0.94
American Robin Gause 127 0.66
Write-in 14 0.07
Total votes 19,300 100.0
Republican hold
106th District General Election, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Russell Fry (incumbent) 24,092 98.46
Write-in 376 1.54
Total votes 24,468 100.0
Republican hold
Republican primary results, 2022[31]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Russell Fry 43,509 51.1
Republican Tom Rice (incumbent) 20,927 24.6
Republican Barbara Arthur 10,481 12.3
Republican Ken Richardson 6,021 7.1
Republican Garrett Barton 2,154 2.5
Republican Mark Struthers McBride 1,676 2.0
Republican Spencer Morris 444 0.5
Total votes 85,212 100.0
2022 South Carolina's 7th congressional district election[32]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Russell Fry 164,440 64.77%
Democratic Daryl W. Scott 89,030 35.07%
Write-in 395 0.16%
Total votes 253,865 100.00%
Majority 75,410 29.70%
Republican hold
2024 South Carolina's 7th congressional district election[33]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Russell Fry (incumbent) 240,326 64.9
Democratic Mal Hyman 129,522 35.0
Write-in 481 0.1
Total votes 370,329 100.0
Republican hold
Results by county:
  Graham
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  Norman
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  Fry
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
Republican special primary results, 2026
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Darline Graham (incumbent) 109,881 32.8
Republican Ralph Norman 82,627 24.6
Republican Russell Fry 65,955 19.7
Republican Mark Sanford 50,136 14.9
Republican Mark Lynch 19,892 5.9
Republican Danny Ford II 2,804 0.8
Republican Duke Buckner 1,583 0.5
Republican Glenda Gail Parker 977 0.3
Republican Samuel Shepherd 931 0.3
Republican Mark McBride 769 0.2
Total votes 335,555 100.0

Personal life

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Fry is a Baptist.[34] He is married and has one son.

References

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  1. ↑ "South Carolina Primary Results". CNNpolitics. CNN. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  3. ↑ Helmer, Katrina (September 19, 2015). "Russell Fry begins work as District 106 state house representative". wmbfnews.com. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  4. ↑ Lee Hill, Meredith (July 20, 2026). "GOP Rep. Russell Fry jumps into South Carolina Senate race". Politico. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Russell Fry". NRCC. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
  6. ↑ C-SPAN (February 17, 2023). Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC) – C-SPAN Profile Interview with New Members of the 118th Congress. Retrieved August 27, 2026 – via YouTube.
  7. ↑ "Bioguide Search". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Rep. Hardwick resigns after investigation into sexual harassment claims". WPDE-TV. May 13, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  9. ↑ "State House of Representatives District 106 Republican Primary". South Carolina Election Commission. July 28, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  10. ↑ Harper, Scott (September 21, 2015). "Russell Fry officially takes over South Carolina House Seat 106 seat". MyHorryNews.com. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  11. ↑ Fleming, Tyler (December 6, 2018). "Horry County's Russell Fry to take on new leadership role in S.C. House of Reps". myrtlebeachonline.com. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Rep Tom Rice Votes to Impeach President Trump". rice.house.gov. U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  13. ↑ Fleming, Tyler; Lovegrove, Jamie (January 31, 2021). "Rep. Russell Fry explores challenging SC GOP-censured Tom Rice for congressional seat". The Post and Courier. Evening Post Industries. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  14. ↑ Axelrod, Tal (August 5, 2021). "SC state Rep. Russell Fry launches primary bid against Rice over impeachment vote". The Hill. Nexstar Media Group. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  15. ↑ Trump endorses GOP challenger to South Carolina Rep. Tom Rice, The Hill, Max Greenwood, February 1, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  16. ↑ Hansen, Victoria (June 14, 2022). "Trump gets a split decision in South Carolina as Rice is beaten, while Mace survives". NPR. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  17. ↑ James, Andrew (November 20, 2022). ""Congressman-elect Fry named president of congressional freshman class"". WPDE-TV. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  18. ↑ Staff, News (November 18, 2022). ""Rep. Fry elected as president of congressional freshman class"". WMBF-TV. Retrieved November 20, 2022. {{cite news}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  19. ↑ "Congressman Russell Fry to serve on House Judiciary Committee". WMBF-TV. January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Caucus Memberships". Congressional Western Caucus. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  21. ↑ "H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023". March 8, 2023.
  22. ↑ "House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria". Associated Press. March 8, 2023.
  23. ↑ "House rejects Gaetz resolution to remove US troops from Somalia". Roll Call. April 27, 2023.
  24. ↑ "H.Con.Res. 30: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #201 -- Apr 27, 2023". GovTrack.us.
  25. ↑ "H.R. 6090: Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 -- House Vote #172 -- May 1, 2024". GovTrack.us. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  26. ↑ "H.R.6090 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023". Congress.gov. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  27. ↑ "ACLU Statement on Senate Introduction of 'Anti-Semitism Awareness Act'". American Civil Liberties Union. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  28. ↑ Alonso, Johanna. "ACLU Warns Against Adopting Antisemitism Definition". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  29. ↑ Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  30. ↑ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved October 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  31. ↑ Cite error: The named reference candfilings was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  32. ↑ Cite error: The named reference gen1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  33. ↑ Cite error: The named reference genr1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  34. ↑ "Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress" (PDF). Pew Research Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 16, 2023.
[edit]
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from South Carolina's 7th congressional district
2023–present		 Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
309th		 Succeeded by
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