Russell Fry

Russell William Fry is a Republican politician and attorney serving as the U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 7th congressional district. Born in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, Fry earned his B.A. in political science from the University of South Carolina in 2007 and his J.D. from the Charleston School of Law in 2011. Before entering public office, he practiced law for over a decade in the Grand Strand area. He began his political career in the South Carolina House of Representatives, where he represented the 106th district from 2015 to 2023 and served as the Majority Chief Whip. Fry was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022 after defeating incumbent Tom Rice in the Republican primary and winning the general election. He assumed office on January 3, 2023. During his tenure in the 118th Congress, he was elected as the Republican freshman class president and serves on the House Judiciary Committee and the Committee on Oversight and Accountability. His legislative work has often focused on conservative priorities, reflecting his background as an advocate for reduced government spending and traditional values.

Russell Fry's policy positions align with the conservative platform of the Republican Party. On economic issues, he advocates for making the 2017 tax cuts permanent, reducing federal regulations on businesses, and cutting government spending to address inflation. He is a staunch proponent of border security, supporting the completion of the U.S.-Mexico border wall, the end of 'catch-and-release' policies, and the implementation of mandatory E-Verify systems for employment. Fry is also vocal on national security, characterizing the Chinese Communist Party as a significant threat and supporting measures to prevent foreign adversaries from purchasing American farmland. Regarding social and constitutional issues, Fry is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and has opposed legislation that he views as infringing on gun ownership rights. He maintains a pro-life stance, having supported 'fetal heartbeat' legislation during his time in the state legislature and opposing taxpayer funding for abortion at the federal level. Additionally, he has emphasized the importance of energy independence through increased domestic production and has a history of working on opioid abuse prevention, having previously chaired a state-level study committee that led to numerous policy initiatives focused on treatment and education.