William Timmons

U.S. Rep. William Timmons faces two Republican primary challengers, David Atchley and Robert E. Lee, for South Carolina's 4th Congressional District.

Timmons is campaigning on his alignment with Donald Trump, while Atchley focuses on local district issues and Lee claims the "America First" mantle.

The candidates differ on a failed redistricting plan, with Timmons supporting it for GOP gains and Atchley opposing it to protect Upstate representation.

U. S. Rep. William Timmons has a history of facing primary challengers from within his own party.

This year is no different, with businessman David Atchley and Robert E. Lee, an engineer, hoping to sway Republican voters in the 4th Congressional District.

Early voting is underway, and primary election day takes place on June 9.

In 2024, Timmons survived a close race against former state representative Adam Morgan, who was a leader of the arch-conservative Freedom Caucus.

Morgan was recently chosen by U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman as his running mate in this year's close Republican primary for governor.

In reflecting on the the 2024 primary and sizing up his competition this time around, Timmons gave this assessment:

"Adam Morgan was an effective communicator. He lied a lot, but he was effective communicator. I'm fortunate this time because the two people I'm running against are not as gifted as orators and don't have as much name recognition."

Lee and Atchley are trying to prove Timmons wrong.

With Timmons aligning himself closely with President Donald Trump and stressing that "polls show that for Republican primary voters, the number one thing they care about is sending a person to Washington who supports the president's agenda," his opponents are challenging the four-term congressman's position in a couple of ways.

Atchley's campaign is centered on local issues and his promise of stronger leadership for the Upstate, while Lee is staking his claim to the "America first" mantle.

Candidate Atchley "for the district first"

Rather than discussing Trump and the national political landscape, Atchley's message is focused locally.

Timmons is "about focusing on the Trump agenda. I'm focusing on the local agenda," Atchley said.

"I'm not against Trump, but I'm certainly for the district first."

Atchley said that when he was considering a campaign against Timmons, he talked with more than 150 business and civic leaders in the Upstate.

According to Atchley, he heard repeatedly that they would like to see more local involvement from their representative.

"He doesn't represent us. He represents himself in D.C.," Atchley said he was told.

"We have the best congressional district in the country, and I believe we should have better representation."

How Atchley and Timmons differ: Redistricting fight a case in point

The question of the Upstate's representation in Congress was a matter of intense scrutiny in recent weeks.

At Trump's urging, South Carolina lawmakers considered adopting a map that would have dramatically altered the state's 6th Congressional District with the aim of making reelection for Rep. Jim Clyburn, the state's lone Democrat in the U.S. House, unlikely.

The effort ultimately failed in the state senate, but the episode provides an example of how Timmons and Atchley differ in their priorities.

Atchley said the redistricting plan would have had a negative impact on Greenville and Spartanburg counties, which would have been split between the 4th and 5th congressional districts.

The proposed map showed a 5th district stretching all the way from the Midlands to Pickens County.

Atchley believes it would have diluted the strength of the Upstate in Congress. He added, "It would have been horrible for Spartanburg because it would have split the city in half."

Timmons said the proposed map, created by Adam Kincaid, the director of the National Republican Redistricting Trust, had "shortcomings," but he supported the redistricting plan in order to boost the GOP's likelihood of maintaining control of Congress following the November midterms.

Timmons points to success of Upstate as evidence of leadership

Meanwhile, Timmons defended his record of support for the district.

He pointed to the Upstate's booming economic development and population growth as evidence of good leadership.

"We are succeeding," he said. "I want to keep South Carolina and 4th Congressional District the best place to work, live, grow a business and raise a family."

Timmons said growth creates some challenges for local governments, but that these concerns are "consequences of the success we've had."

Timmons boasts Trump endorsement; Atchley confident in message

Atchley acknowledged that candidates with Trump's endorsement, which Timmons has, are formidable in GOP primaries.

But he thinks his message is reaching voters.

He's had a solid presence with fundraising events and door-to-door canvassing.

Atchley said he has the budget to be competitive and is planning to wrap up the campaign with a strong media push throughout the district.

Timmons portrayed Atchley as an outsider to the Upstate, noting that he previously lived in Charlotte.

"I've lived here my whole life," Timmons said, also pointing to his family's generations-long presence in the Upstate.

After completing his education, Timmons returned to Greenville, where he worked as a prosecutor in the 13th Circuit Solicitor's Office.

Atchley has longstanding local ties, as well.

He graduated from Daniel High School near Clemson, where his father served as the president of Clemson University. He went on to attend Wofford College.

Atchley worked in fundraising at Wofford and Presbyterian colleges and now owns a consulting firm.

Lee touts 'America First' bona fides

While Atchley is framing his campaign around local considerations, Lee is challenging Timmons by claiming that he's the candidate who best represents Trump's "America First" values.

He said he's focused on government transparency, including the full release of the Epstein files, and keeping the U.S. out of foreign wars — even though those stances may put him somewhat at odds with Trump.

Trump launched a war with Iran at the end of February, and the conflict has not yet been fully resolved. Regarding the Epstein files, Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act but has described the scandal as a "Democrat hoax."

Timmons said Democrats are using Trump's relationship with Epstein as well as mentions of Trump in the files as "a distraction."

Timmons serves on the House Committee for Oversight and Government Reform, which is investigating the Epstein scandal, and said Trump faces no threat from the release of information about Epstein.

"I can promise you the president did nothing wrong," he said.

Still, Lee is calling for greater transparency. On his website, he expresses support for Rep. Thomas Massie, one of the first Republicans in Congress to demand the release of the Epstein files.

Trump came out against Massie in his Kentucky primary against Ed Gallrein. Gallrein defeated Massie handily.

Timmons optimistic about GOP's chances in midterms

Even though the effort failed in South Carolina, Trump's recent push for Republican-led states to redraw congressional maps has given the GOP an edge heading into the midterms, Timmons said. "I think we're in a good spot."

The biggest worry, Timmons said, is the war in Iran and its impact on gas prices. "If we're still having conflict and gas is $5 a gallon, it's going to be a tough November."

He said he thinks the Trump administration will have the conflict "wrapped up soon."