SC’s Graham files for more states’ GOP presidential nominating contests

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham has filed for more states’ GOP presidential nominating contests, laying the groundwork for continuing his long-shot presidential bid past South Carolina’s Feb. 20 primary.

The Seneca Republican filed a petition, pre-certified by the Virginia GOP, with 7,500 signatures to appear on the Virginia GOP presidential primary ballot, his campaign said. The petition must be signed by 5,000 qualified voters to be certified. Graham also filed to appear on the Tennessee ballot and, last week, secured a spot on the Vermont ballot, the campaign said.

In a statement, Graham said filing in Virginia, Vermont and Tennessee “marks an important milestone for our strong political organization throughout the country.”

Campaign adviser Scott Farmer said Graham has met every deadline to get on a presidential ballot that has passed to date. Graham also has filed to run in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Graham has said he will re-evaluate his candidacy after New Hampshire’s Feb. 9 primary, which comes before South Carolina’s nominating contest.

Graham is polling at less than 1 percent nationally and averages 2 percent in S.C. polls, according to Real Clear Politics. In his home state, Graham has fallen from 17 percent in a February poll taken a few months before he announced his candidacy.

This story was originally published December 2, 2015 at 6:14 PM with the headline "SC’s Graham files for more states’ GOP presidential nominating contests."