South Carolina could quickly become the scene of a turbulent and fractious special primary election as multiple Republicans battle in an August 11 special primary election to replace the suddenly deceased Senator Lindsey Graham as the GOP’s new nominee.

The filing opening for those considering making the jump into the race is July 21, with a July 28 deadline. That means those taking the plunge will have an extremely abbreviated two-week opportunity to make their pitch to Republican voters in the deep red state. Should a run-off balloting be required, it will take place on August 25.

Although Graham was expected to win his fourth term in the Senate, he did have significant primary opposition earlier this year in businessman Mark Lynch, who criticized the incumbent for being too hawkish on foreign policy and too inclined to commit U.S. military forces to overseas combat. Lynch lost in great part because Graham was among the most well-funded Senate incumbents seeking re-election.

Lynch raised more than $5 million in his effort against Graham and made statewide headlines with an aggressive last-minute TV ad buy. But he retained several million dollars in his campaign chest, which looks ready-made for a quick return to the campaign trail.

But South Carolina voters will likely have several other potential choices, including especially Attorney General Alan Wilson, who is the official winner of the GOP gubernatorial nomination after the June 23 run-off. Having won statewide elections multiple times since 2011, Wilson, whose views are very much in line with Graham’s, would instantly be a formidable opponent. The challenge for Wilson is that he won that June 23 run-off election, meaning he would risk alienating key financial supporters who backed him in the statehouse race.

Three other potentially strong contenders include Rep. Ralph Norman, the GOP representative of the state’s fastest- growing region in the North Central area, including Charlotte suburbs. Norman was an also-ran in the June 9 gubernatorial primary and declared that he was through with elective office. But as a vocal member of the House Freedom Caucus and an effective campaigner, he could likely raise impressive funds for a quick-hit Senate nomination campaign.

Two women are also potential factors in the special primary election. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) finished a disappointing third in the state’s June 9 gubernatorial primary, so the mercurial and sometimes controversial Mace could seek to erase the memory of that losing effort to mount a quick strike for the Senate nomination.

The other woman is Pam Evette, who lost the June 23 run-off to Wilson, gaining only 42% of the votes cast. Evette had been President Donald Trump’s initial favorite for the gubernatorial nomination, but the chief executive subsequently also endorsed Wilson, which nullified whatever advantage Evette might previously have enjoyed.

A potentially complicating factor in all of these potential candidates’ decision-making processes is the fact Governor Henry McMaster (R) can appoint an interim replacement for Graham to serve until January 3, 2027, when the 120th Congress is convened.

Whoever wins the GOP nod, they will face Democratic candidate Annie Andrews, a Charleston pediatrician who was trailing Graham in most polls. Andrews could become the beneficiary of substantial support from out-of-state Democratic donors if the GOP special primary proves to be especially heated, leaving hard feelings that could prompt some Republican voters to abstain from the November balloting or cast a protest vote for Andrews.

In a sign that Andrews may well prove to be a more formidable candidate than Republicans expect, she issued a non-partisan tribute to Graham following his passing: “My deepest condolences are with the family of Senator Lindsey Graham, his friends, his devoted staff, and all who are grieving this sudden and tremendous loss. From his small-town South Carolina roots to the halls of the U.S. Senate, he was a man of great faith who proudly served our nation as a JAG officer and Air Force Colonel. I hope that South Carolinians will join me in setting partisanship aside and offering gratitude to Senator Lindsey Graham for his service to the great state of South Carolina.”