Lindsey Graham Forms Presidential ‘Testing the Waters’ Committee
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA -- United States Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) has established a political organization to ‘test the waters’ for a potential 2016 run for president.
The committee, Security Through Strength, will fund the infrastructure and operations allowing Graham to travel the country listening to Americans’ concerns, and gauging support for a potential presidential candidacy.
“Ronald Reagan’s policy of ‘Peace Through Strength’ kept America safe during the Cold War,” said Graham. “But we will never enjoy peaceful coexistence with radical Islam because its followers are committed to destroying us and our way of life. However, America can have ‘Security Through Strength,’ and I will continue to lead in that critical fight.”
“But ‘Security Through Strength’ is more than just military might,” Graham continued. “It requires a sound and growing economy with a nation that becomes energy independent over time. It is confronting our major issues together to find solutions. Most importantly, it is protecting and promoting the values that have made America the greatest country in the world.”
The president of Security Through Strength is David Wilkins, the former United States Ambassador to Canada under President George W. Bush and former Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives. Wilkins was Chairman of President Bush’s 2004 campaign in South Carolina and Co-Chair of the 2000 effort. He also was the Chairman of Graham’s first Senate campaign in 2002.
Political strategist Christian Ferry and long-time Graham advisor Scott Farmer have been enlisted to guide the “testing the waters” effort. Ferry has worked on numerous campaigns, including serving as Deputy Campaign Manager for McCain-Palin in 2008. Farmer first worked for Graham on the 2002 Senate campaign as Finance Director and later served as Campaign Manager of Graham’s successful re-election efforts in 2008 and 2014.
Security Through Strength is a 527 political committee registered with the Internal Revenue Service and South Carolina Secretary of State.
I have established a political organization to ‘test the waters’ for a potential 2016 run for president.
The committee, Security Through Strength, will fund the infrastructure and operations allowing me to travel the country listening to Americans’ concerns, and gauging support for a potential presidential candidacy.
Ronald Reagan’s policy of ‘Peace Through Strength’ kept America safe during the Cold War. But we will never enjoy peaceful coexistence with radical Islam because its followers are committed to destroying us and our way of life. However, America can have ‘Security Through Strength,’ and I will continue to lead in that critical fight.
But ‘Security Through Strength’ is more than just military might. It requires a sound and growing economy with a nation that becomes energy independent over time. It is confronting our major issues together to find solutions. Most importantly, it is protecting and promoting the values that have made America the greatest country in the world.
WHAT IS SECURITY THROUGH STRENGTH?
Security Through Strength is the political committee helping United States Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) "test the waters" for a potential 2016 run for president. The committee will fund the infrastructure and operations allowing Graham to travel the country, listen to Americans, and gauge support for a potential presidential candidacy.
ABOUT SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM
Lindsey Graham has earned a reputation as a conservative problem-solver and one of the strongest proponents of a robust national defense.
A frequent visitor to American troops stationed overseas for on-the-ground assessments, Graham has consistently pushed for outcomes in the War on Terror which protect our long-term national security interests. One leading conservative recently wrote that when it comes to defending America, "[Lindsey] Graham has been right about more things on foreign policy for longer than just about anyone…if anyone has bragging rights on foreign policy, it is Graham."
Graham is also a leader in cutting spending, reforming entitlements, and getting government out of the way so businesses can create jobs. One national conservative organization called him a Taxpayer Hero who puts "the interests of the taxpayer ahead of politics by consistently voting to cut wasteful spending, reduce the tax burden, and make government more accountable to taxpayers."
Graham was elected to the United States Senate in 2002 and was re-elected in 2008 and 2014. He became - and remains today - the top vote-getter in South Carolina history by garnering over one million votes in the 2008 general election.
Prior to serving in the Senate, Graham was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994 as the first Republican from the Third Congressional District of South Carolina since 1877.
Before being elected to Congress, Graham compiled a distinguished record in the United States Air Force as he logged six-and-a-half years of service on active duty as an Air Force lawyer. From 1984-1988, he was assigned overseas and served at Rhein-Main Air Force Base in Germany. Upon leaving active duty Air Force in 1989, Graham joined the South Carolina Air National Guard where he served until 1995. During the first Gulf War in the early 90's, Graham was called to active duty and served state-side at McEntire Air National Guard Base as Staff Judge Advocate where he prepared members for deployment to the Gulf region.
Even today while serving as a United States Senator, Graham continues to serve his country in the United States Air Force Reserves. He is one of only three senators currently serving in the Guard or Reserves. Graham has earned the rank of Colonel and is assigned as a Senior Instructor at the Air Force JAG School.
A native South Carolinian, Graham grew up in a blue collar family in the small town of Central where his parents ran a restaurant and pool hall. The first member of his family to go to college, Graham earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of South Carolina. He lives in Seneca and is a member of Corinth Baptist Church.
