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Russell Fry
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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]
Key Information
A member of the Republican Party,[2] Fry represented the 106th District in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2015 to 2023.[3][4] In 2018, he was appointed to the position of Majority Chief Whip for the 122nd South Carolina General Assembly.[5]
Career
[edit]South Carolina House of Representatives
[edit]In May 2015, State Representative Nelson Hardwick announced his resignation after House leadership investigated sexual harassment allegations against him.[6] 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.[7] Fry won the runoff, and was unopposed in the general election.[8]
U.S. House of Representatives
[edit]Elections
[edit]2022
[edit]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.[9] Fry criticized Rice for his vote, and said he was considering running against him in 2022.[10] In August 2021, Fry announced that he would challenge Rice in the 2022 election, emphasizing his opposition to Trump's impeachment.[11] On February 1, 2022, Trump endorsed Fry.[12] In the June 14 Republican primary, Fry defeated Rice by 26.6 percentage points.[13] On November 8, Fry was elected to Congress with 64.9% of the vote, defeating Democratic nominee Daryl Scott.
Tenure
[edit]Fry was elected to serve as the president of the congressional freshman class during orientation week.[14][15] On January 16, 2023, it was announced that Fry would serve on the House Judiciary Committee.[16]
Caucus memberships
[edit]Political positions
[edit]Syria
[edit]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.[18][19]
Somalia
[edit]In 2023, Fry was among 52 Republicans who voted in favor H.Con.Res. 30, which would remove American troops from Somalia.[20][21]
Antisemitism
[edit]Fry was among the 187 Republicans who voted in favor of H.R. 6090: The Antisemitism Awareness Act.[22] 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."[23] 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.[24][25]
Israel
[edit]Fry voted to provide Israel with support following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[26][27]
Electoral history
[edit]| Year | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Candidate | Votes | Pct | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Special Republican Primary | Russell Fry | 1,152 | 44.8% | Tyler Servant | 856 | 33.3% | Roy Sprinkle | 374 | 14.5% | Sanford Cox Graves | 192 | 7.5% | |||||
| 2015 Special Republican Primary Runoff[28] | Russell Fry | 1,738 | 59.8% | Tyler Servant | 1,167 | 40.2% | |||||||||||
| 2015 Special General Election[29] | Russell Fry | 17,841 | 99.5% | ||||||||||||||
| 2016 General Election[30] | Russell Fry (i) | 17,841 | 100.0% | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 General Election[31] | Russell Fry (i) | 13,198 | 68.4% | Robin Gause | 6,088 | 31.5% | Other/Write-in | 14 | 0.1% |
| Year | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Candidate | Votes | Pct | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Republican Primary | Russell Fry | 43,509 | 51.1% | Tom Rice (i) | 20,927 | 24.6% | Barbara Arthur | 10,481 | 12.3% | Ken Richardson | 6,021 | 7.1% | |||||
| 2022 General Election | Russell Fry | 164,160 | 64.8% | Daryl W. Scott | 88,779 | 35.0% | |||||||||||
| 2024 General Election[32] | Russell Fry | 240,326 | 64.9% | Mal Hyman | 129,522 | 35% | Write-in | 481 | 0.1% |
Personal life
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "South Carolina Primary Results". CNNpolitics. CNN. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- ^ "Russell W. Fry - South Carolina Representative - Open States". openstates.org. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ Helmer, Katrina (September 19, 2015). "Russell Fry begins work as District 106 state house representative". wmbfnews.com. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Rep. Hardwick resigns after investigation into sexual harassment claims". WPDE-TV. May 13, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ "State House of Representatives District 106 Republican Primary". South Carolina Election Commission. July 28, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ Harper, Scott (September 21, 2015). "Russell Fry officially takes over South Carolina House Seat 106 seat". MyHorryNews.com. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ "Rep Tom Rice Votes to Impeach President Trump". rice.house.gov. U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Trump endorses GOP challenger to South Carolina Rep. Tom Rice, The Hill, Max Greenwood, February 1, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ James, Andrew (November 20, 2022). ""Congressman-elect Fry named president of congressional freshman class"". WPDE-TV. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- ^ 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) - ^ "Congressman Russell Fry to serve on House Judiciary Committee". WMBF-TV. January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ "Caucus Memberships". Congressional Western Caucus. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
- ^ "H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023". March 8, 2023.
- ^ "House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria". Associated Press. March 8, 2023.
- ^ "House rejects Gaetz resolution to remove US troops from Somalia". Roll Call. April 27, 2023.
- ^ "H.Con.Res. 30: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #201 -- Apr 27, 2023". GovTrack.us.
- ^ "H.R. 6090: Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 -- House Vote #172 -- May 1, 2024". GovTrack.us. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ "H.R.6090 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023". Congress.gov. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ "ACLU Statement on Senate Introduction of 'Anti-Semitism Awareness Act'". American Civil Liberties Union. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ Alonso, Johanna. "ACLU Warns Against Adopting Antisemitism Definition". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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) - ^ "SC - Election Results - House Dist 106 Runoff". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ "SC - Election Results - House Dist 106 General". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ "South Carolina 106th District State House Results: Russell Fry Wins". The New York Times. August 1, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ "Election Night Reporting - SC House Dist 106 General". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
- ^ "2024 STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION November 5, 2024". South Carolina Election Commission. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
- ^ "Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress" (PDF). Pew Research Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 16, 2023.
External links
[edit]- Congressman Russell Fry official U.S. House website
- Russell Fry for Congress campaign website
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Appearances on C-SPAN