| I want to share something from the heart with you, Friend. It isn't one of glitz and glamour — it's about hard work, loss, and fighting for what's right. I'm reaching out to tell you why I'm in this fight for our future, and why I need you with me. Neither of my parents finished high school. But they were hardworking and determined that their children would surpass their achievements. Most of my growing up happened on the main street of a small textile mill town. My parents had a business establishment — a combination beer joint, restaurant, liquor store, and pool hall — known as the Sanitary Cafe right on Main Street in Central, SC. We all lived in the back of the bar where we worked late into the evening, especially my mom, before heading off to bed in the backroom.  I was the first in my family to attend college, but then life hit me hard. While I was in school, I lost my mom and dad within two years of each other. And just like that, I stepped up to help raise my 13–year–old sister, Darline, while coming back home on the weekends to help at our family business.  After law school, I joined the U.S. Air Force as a Judge Advocate General, serving as a military prosecutor and defense attorney. Even after the people of South Carolina sent me to the United States Senate, I continued my service in the Air Force Reserves. I performed several short deployments in war zones like Afghanistan and Iraq, standing shoulder to shoulder with our brave men and women in uniform. My story isn't all that different from yours or most people across this great country. I didn't have anything handed to me. I worked hard, grew up quickly, and took on big responsibilities. But what shaped me most was listening to the hard–working South Carolinians who'd come by our family business, sharing their hopes and struggles, or hearing the perspectives of my brave colleagues in the military. Whether I agreed with them or not, those conversations built my understanding of what Americans need and deserve. Now, Friend, we all know our nation's in a tough spot — we're divided, but there are some things we should agree on, plain and simple. That's what I'm fighting for every single day, Friend. Sadly, there are folks in Washington, across the aisle, who don't see it that way. They're fine with open borders, allowing violent crime spill into our neighborhoods. They're okay with slapping higher taxes on hard–working folks like you, piling more burdens on your family. That isn't right, and I won't stand for it. So I'm coming to you with a simple ask, Friend. If you've got a few dollars to spare, would you consider joining Team Graham to support my campaign?
Friend, I know we can build a country that keeps our communities safe, rewards hard work, and gives every American a chance to chase their dreams — just like I did. Thank you for taking a minute to hear my story. I'm grateful for you. Sincerely,  Lindsey Graham
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