Congressman Russell Fry grills former Prosecutor Jack Smith at Congressional Hearing. #myrtlebeach

Russell Fry is a Republican congressman representing South Carolina's 7th Congressional District HouseWikipedia, which encompasses the Grand Strand and Pee Dee region along the state's coastal areas Floodcoalition. Born on January 31, 1985 Wikipedia, Fry has been serving in Congress since 2023. Fry grew up in Surfside Beach, attended Socastee High School, and earned his bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina in 2007 Floodcoalition. He subsequently attended the Charleston School of Law, graduating in 2011, and practiced law in the Grand Strand area for over a decade Floodcoalition. Fry's political career began in 2015 when he won a special election for South Carolina's 106th House District Wikipedia. He quickly rose through the state legislature's ranks, being appointed Majority Chief Whip in 2018 Wikipedia. His congressional career launched after a contentious primary in 2022. The catalyst for Fry's congressional run was then-incumbent Tom Rice's unexpected vote to impeach President Donald Trump following the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack Wikipedia. Fry challenged Rice for the Republican nomination, emphasizing his opposition to the impeachment. Trump endorsed Fry in February 2022, and Fry defeated Rice by over 26 percentage points in the June primary Wikipedia. He went on to win the general election with nearly 65% of the vote. In Congress, Fry was elected Republican freshman class president Floodcoalition and serves on the House Judiciary Committee Wikipedia. His legislative priorities focus on crime and law enforcement issues. He has sponsored bills addressing internet safety for children, border security, and human trafficking. Fry has emphasized his work on the opioid epidemic and has identified border security, inflation, and education as key priorities WPDE. Fry won reelection in 2024, defeating Democratic challenger Mal Hyman. He lives in Murrells Inlet with his wife, Bronwen, and their son, James Floodcoalition. As a representative of a coastal district that has experienced severe flooding from hurricanes, he has also been involved in flood resilience issues.