Lindsey Graham, a three-term U.S. Senator from South Carolina, entered the crowded Republican race for the 2016 presidency on Monday.
“I want to be president to protect our nation that we all love so much from all threats foreign and domestic,” the New York Times reports Graham said during a press conference held in his hometown of Central, S.C. “So get ready. I know I’m ready.”
Graham’s opponents for the Republican party nomination include Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, former New York Gov. George Pataki, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, former business executive Carly Fiorina and former neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson.
Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley are among the candidates who have announced their candidacy for the Democratic party’s presidential nomination.
Graham also kicked off his campaign with a four-minute video touting his “American Upbringing,” that stretches from his childhood to military experience.