MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – A new poll commissioned by the John Vincent for Congress campaign finds South Carolina's 7th District race within the margin of error, with more voters undecided than the four points separating the candidates. Democratic challenger John Vincent (pictured) trails Republican incumbent Russell Fry just 37% to 41%, with 22% still undecided — a statistical dead heat in a district that Cook Political Report rates R+12 and has not had a competitive congressional race in several election cycles. The poll was conducted by Blueprint Polling using an initial ballot test in which no biographical or issue information was presented about either candidate.
Vincent attributes his standing to a strategy few campaigns still use: showing up in person. For more than a year, before spending a dollar on advertising, he and his wife, Deb, have campaigned in churches, at fish fries, and at community celebrations across all eight counties in the district. A 20-year Navy veteran who rose to the rank of Command Master Chief, Vincent later built a small business training police, fire, and municipal leaders across the Southeast.
The poll also shows why Vincent's message is landing. Asked to name the single most important issue in their vote for Congress, 34.9% of likely voters pointed to the rising cost of gas, groceries, and utility bills, nearly three times more than any other issue. Among independents, the voters most likely to decide this race, cost of living was the runaway top concern, followed by demands for accountability in Washington. Those are the exact priorities at the center of Vincent's "People Over Politics" platform, which focuses on lowering the cost of groceries, healthcare, housing, and energy, protecting Social Security and Medicare, and enforcing accountability in Washington.
"Working families here feel Washington has left them behind," Vincent said. "They want to afford groceries, keep the lights on, and know their representative is actually working for them. That's not a Republican or Democratic problem. It's a kitchen-table problem, and I’m going to Washington to solve it.”
Fry, a two-term congressman, votes in lockstep with the administration, a pattern reflected in his 100 percent rating from Heritage Action for America in the 119th Congress. Fry, who filed to run in the special Senate election to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, is now seeking both the Senate and reelection to the House, and could appear on the November ballot twice if he wins his August 11th Senate primary.
"Russell Fry is treating this seat like a stepping stone, not a commitment," Vincent said. "While he's chasing a promotion, I'm focused on one job: fighting for the people of our eight great counties. SC-7 is ready for a change, and we intend to earn every vote."