Has backed building a wall at the U.S. southern border since his 2004 U.S. Senate primary campaign, more than a decade before border-wall construction became a mainstream Republican position. Also opposed NAFTA as harmful to American manufacturing workers.

Calls for disengaging from and ending the Iran conflict, bringing U.S. troops home from the Middle East rather than continuing the fight. Wants federal attention redirected away from distant wars and refocused on South Carolina and everyday Americans' needs.

Rejects the idea that a senator should be a reflexive vote for Trump's agenda, saying he won't be "the MAGA warrior for Donald Trump" but instead a fighter for South Carolina on the issues, not just going along blindly with party decisions.

Prioritizes cutting everyday costs for gas and groceries over deficit reduction, arguing households care less about the national debt than whether they can afford gas for work or food on the table. Treats pocketbook relief as more urgent than distant fiscal debates.

Proposes replacing the federal income tax code with a flat rate of roughly 10 percent, arguing that whether someone is Elon Musk or a cashier at Food Lion, everyone should pay the same percentage of income. Frames it as a step toward eventually eliminating the IRS and simplifying enforcement.