Lindsey Graham formally announces 2016 candidacy

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) formally entered the 2016 presidential race Monday with an announcement in his hometown of Central, South Carolina.

"No one here including me ever expected me to say, 'I'm Lindsey Graham, and I'm running for president of the United States,'" he said.

Graham, 59, is a military hawk, but conservatives in the GOP have criticized him for being too liberal. Much of his speech focused on national security and his vision for the commander-in-chief role.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up

"I'm ready on day 1 to defend our nation with sound strategy, a strong military, stable alliances, and a steady determination," he said. "I have more experience with our national security than any other candidate in this race. That includes you, Hillary."

He joins a crowded Republican field as an underdog, as he scores in the low single digits in the latest polls.