South Carolina Republican Rep. Russell Fry reportedly wants to run for the state's U.S. Senate seat vacated by the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Fry, a close ally of President Donald Trump, has begun laying the groundwork for a campaign to secure the Republican nomination in South Carolina's special Senate election, according to Politico.

Citing five Republicans familiar with private discussions, Politico reported that Fry has expressed interest in running and has spoken with White House operatives about a possible bid.

Several of those Republicans believe he is among the leading contenders to win Trump's endorsement.

The race opened after Republican Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham's sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to serve as an interim senator following the longtime lawmaker's unexpected death.

Nordone is widely expected to act as a caretaker until voters elect a permanent replacement in November.

Trump has already offered high praise for Fry.

"I think Russell Fry, a young congressman, is outstanding, and I could see that happening," Trump told Newsmax's "Greg Kelly Reports" on Monday.

"I think he's a very, very talented person. He's doing much better than the person that preceded him," Trump added, referring to former Rep. Tom Rice, whom Fry defeated in the 2022 Republican primary after Rice voted to impeach Trump following the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

According to Axios, Fry is viewed favorably by several Trump insiders because of his fundraising ability and because he currently holds a safely Republican House seat.

Axios also reported that appointing Nordone as a temporary replacement was Trump's preferred approach because it gave the governor and the White House time to unite behind a long-term candidate.

The special Republican primary is scheduled for Aug. 11, with a runoff on Aug. 25 if no candidate wins a majority.

While Fry has quickly emerged as an early favorite, other Republicans are also weighing bids.

Politico and Axios identified Rep. Joe Wilson, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, and Rep. Nancy Mace as possible candidates.

Axios reported that Mace has generated strong opposition within Trump's political operation after publicly floating her candidacy shortly after Graham's death.

One senior Trump adviser told the outlet the political operation would spend heavily to prevent her nomination if necessary.

Mace has rejected criticism that she acted inappropriately and argued other Republicans also expressed interest in the seat.

With Trump's endorsement expected to carry enormous weight in deep-red South Carolina, the contest is shaping up as one of the GOP's most closely watched primaries.