GOProud founder 'seriously' considering challenge to Lindsey Graham

Bruce Carroll, a co-founder of the conservative gay group GOProud, has resigned from the organization's board in order to concentrate on a potential bid against Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), he announced on Monday.

"In the spirit of transparency and honesty, I informed my fellow GOProud board members that I could not dedicate the time to the organization while I seriously considered the effort it will take to challenge Senator Graham in the 2014 primary," Carroll writes in an open letter on gaypatriot.net Monday morning. "Over the next few weeks, I will be studying the resources, time and effort it would take to do my part in holding Lindsey Graham accountable for his voting record and his attitude toward the voters in South Carolina."

Carroll said he does not "make major decisions hastily."

"If I believe I could provide a serious alternative to Senator Graham for the voters of South Carolina, and I can find the financial and moral support to join me in that effort, then I will take those next formal steps needed to do so," he said. "Someone needs to be the Conscience of South Carolina's Voters during the 2014 Primary. I hope I can accept that challenge."

Graham, who has broken with the conservative base of his party on some tax issues as well as immigration and climate change, may be vulnerable to a potential primary challenge. But it's unclear how well an openly gay candidate could do running as a conservative challenger in a South Carolina Republican primary.

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