Russell Fry layers Joe Biden barbs, and Donald Trump praise into stump speech in NC
State Rep. Russell Fry is adding a few more zingers into a stump speech he’s field testing around South Carolina’s vast 7th congressional district
Six months after appearing with Trump on stage in Florence, Fry was back supporting his big-name political ally across the border in Wilmington, N.C.
“In June, I became the first Trump-endorsed candidate to beat a Trump impeacher in our country,” the 37-year-old Surfside Beach attorney said in brief remarks at a Sept. 23 event headlined by Trump.
He approached the podium as Creedence Clearwater Revival’s anti-war anthem “Fortunate Son” blared across loudspeakers at Aero Center Wilmington.
A key February endorsement from Trump helped Fry break away from a crowded slate of candidates looking to oust U.S. Rep. Tom Rice — one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach the 45th president for his role in stoking violence at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
But since Fry’s June 14 primary victory, he’s moved away from intra-party sniping and put his focus on reclaiming a GOP majority in the House.
“My motivation for Congress is we must leave our community, our states and our country better than we have found it,” Fry said. “We need leaders who understand that it’s time to be serious, not socialist.”
Hours before his appearance in North Carolina, Fry threw his support behind a four-pillar “Commitment to America” policy rolled out by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.
"What we wanted to do was a plan for a new direction. We want to be upfront with the American public...If [the American people] put their trust in us this is what we'll do..." @GOPLeader on House Republicans' #CommitmentToAmerica!!! pic.twitter.com/ghFPbkMbUh
— House Republicans (@HouseGOP) September 23, 2022
The policy touts energy independence, border security, government transparency and greater investment for law enforcement agencies.
McCarthy’s plan assails “liberal prosecutors and district attorneys who fail to do their job and keep criminals off the streets” and blames left-wing activists for efforts at de-funding police departments.
The plan does not mention Trump-aligned protesters arrested on the Capitol grounds or other politically motivated organizations classified by the Southern Poverty Law Center as hate groups.
Fry accused President Biden of “gaslighting” Americans concerned about high gas prices and inflation.
“Two years ago, we handed the Democrats this country on a silver platter,” Fry said. “We have to fight. We have to get in the arena. Make no mistake, a red wave is coming. It’s time for Democrats to be swept away and for we the people to make things right.”
