Who's In the Race

Two candidates will face off in South Carolina's 7th U.S. House District general election on Nov. 3, but it's looking like Republicans will take the seat. Republican Russell Fry, the incumbent, advanced through the Republican primary on June 9, on the same day that Democrat John Vincent advanced through the Democratic primary.

Fry is the incumbent, last confirmed as the seat's holder in the 2024 race. Vincent is a 20-year U.S. Navy veteran and small business owner based in Myrtle Beach, running under the tagline "Common Sense Over Chaos."

What They Stand For

Russell Fry

Fry's platform emphasizes border security, which he describes on his official House website as "a national security crisis, a public safety crisis, a humanitarian crisis, and a drain on taxpayer resources." He supports completing the wall at the U.S.-Mexico border and has pushed to maximize border-related funding through the federal budget process.

On the economy, Fry's campaign website lists "lower costs" and "a government accountable to the people" as core goals, arguing that runaway government spending drives inflation and debt. He supports cutting spending, lowering taxes, and bringing manufacturing jobs back to the district.

Fry's campaign website also calls for blocking China, Russia, and other foreign adversaries from purchasing American farmland. On social issues, he has co-led an amicus brief defending gun rights against state-level restrictions and sponsored the Open Carry Act and the Fetal Heartbeat Bill during his time in the South Carolina statehouse. His campaign emphasizes protecting "faith, parental rights, and South Carolina family values."

John Vincent

Vincent's campaign platform centers on the economic squeeze facing working families. He states: "Families here are working as hard as they ever have and still falling behind, because groceries, housing, utilities, and health care keep climbing while paychecks stay flat." He calls for ending tariffs he says "tax nearly everything we buy," raising wages so a full-time job covers basic needs, protecting Social Security, and making homeownership accessible to working families.

Healthcare access is a second pillar of his campaign. Vincent supports keeping rural hospitals open and protecting healthcare tax credits he says "tens of thousands of our neighbors depend on." His campaign press release cited "limited access to health care" as a defining challenge in the district.

As a Navy veteran, Vincent has made veterans' care a signature issue, stating he will "never break a promise to a veteran." His Ballotpedia profile) quotes him directly: "My campaign is focused on fiscal responsibility, strengthening our economy for working families, and keeping our promises to veterans. I'm not interested in partisan games — I'm interested in delivering results."

Vincent's campaign press release also identified "underinvestment in infrastructure and economic insecurity in rural and working-class communities" as central challenges he aims to address.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

Every major race-rating service calls this contest a safe Republican hold. The Cook Political Report rated the race Solid Republican as of Sept. 25. Sabato's Crystal Ball carried the same rating, and Inside Elections matched it, both as of September.

Prediction markets align with that view. On Kalshi, as of Sept. 28, Fry's probability of winning stood at about 91%.

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