SouthernWorldwide.com – Former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent has publicly endorsed Mark Lynch, a primary challenger for the U.S. Senate seat in South Carolina. Kent’s endorsement comes with strong criticism of the incumbent Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, whom Kent labeled a “war hawk, neocon.”
In a video message shared on social media, Kent urged South Carolinians to vote for Lynch in the upcoming primary on Tuesday, June 9th. He stated that this vote would allow constituents to “stop sending billions of dollars overseas” and prevent the U.S. from becoming “entangled in endless foreign wars in the Middle East.”
“Vote for Mark Lynch,” Kent urged, identifying Lynch as the “America First candidate.” He further asserted that Lynch is currently the best-positioned individual to unseat Lindsey Graham, whom Kent characterized as a “war hawk, neocon.”
The article includes a headline indicating a previous warning from an ex-counterterrorism chief about a potential situation forcing the U.S. back into war on Iran’s terms.
A statement from an individual identified as Zilch suggests that Lynch’s aspirations align with wanting “more Massies” in Congress. This statement also highlights Senator Graham’s extensive endorsements, including those from President Trump, Governor McMaster, Senator Tim Scott, Congressman Russell Fry, Congressman Joe Wilson, Congressman William Timmons, National Right to Life, SC Citizens for Life, Tea Party Express, and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.
President Trump, who previously endorsed Graham for re-election, has openly criticized Lynch. In an earlier post on Truth Social, Trump referred to Lynch as a “LUNATIC” and a supporter of Thomas Massie, whom Trump described as “perhaps the Worst Congressman in the History of our Country.” Trump concluded that Lynch would be a “DISASTER for the Republican Party” and that Graham “just, GETS THE JOB DONE,” urging a vote for Graham under the MAGA slogan.
Lynch has indeed expressed support for Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky. In a March post on X, Lynch stated, “We need more MTGs and Gaetzes and Massies. Zero question about it,” referencing former Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz, as well as Massie.
Thomas Massie, who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since late 2012, recently lost his Republican congressional primary in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District. His opponent in that primary was Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL who received Trump’s endorsement.
In another Truth Social post on Thursday, Trump reiterated his support for Graham. He declared, “This Tuesday, June 9th, all Republicans in South Carolina should vote for Lindsey Graham — HE HAS MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT, AND WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!”
The article also references a prior event where four Senate Republicans joined Democrats to block Trump’s “Save America Act.”
Joe Kent resigned from his government position in March, citing his opposition to the war in Iran. In his resignation letter, Kent stated, “I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”
President Trump has previously attacked Kent, calling him a “SLEAZEBAG” and potentially a “LEAKER” in an April Truth Social post. Trump also stated he did not know if those claims were true and referred to Kent as a “LOSER.”
The article includes a headline noting Lindsey Graham’s warning that Republicans and Democrats attempting to “destroy” Trump are engaged in a losing game, following the defeat of Senator Cassidy.
Lindsey Graham has represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate since 2003.
