GOP leaders in SC county vote to censure Sen. Graham, the second such rebuke since November

SC county GOP leaders vote to censure Sen. Graham

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Republican leaders in a South Carolina county known as a GOP stronghold have voted to censure U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham for working with Democrats on immigration and climate change.

It’s the second time since November that Republicans in a South Carolina county have voted to censure the GOP senator.

Lexington County Republican Party Chairman Rich Bolen said Tuesday the county’s executive committee voted 13-7 to rebuke Graham following more than an hour of debate late Monday.

In November, Charleston County Republicans censured Graham over climate change legislation.

Phone and e-mail messages left with Graham’s office were not immediately returned. In November, his spokesman said the senator has a solidly conservative voting record but believes politicians must work across the aisle.