It is immediately obvious that no one on the bench offers the full package of Lindsey Graham’s experience, immense capability, work ethic, and influence. Regardless of who wins the job, gaping holes will remain. But there are few more urgent and important challenges than finding the best possible candidate to vie for that job in the upcoming midterms.

Time is of the essence. The midterm elections will be held in early November. Primary elections have already been held to select major party candidates. In this case, South Carolina election law requires the GOP to hold a special primary election (now scheduled for August 11), and candidates must file their intent by July 28 — next week!

So far, three have thrown their hats in the ring — South Carolina Congressmen Ralph Norman and Russell Fry, and Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darlene Graham, who was appointed by Governor Henry McMaster to fill the remaining six months of her late brother’s term. Just last week, she announced her intent to compete for a full six-year term this November. The Republican nominee chosen in a special primary will compete with the already-selected Democrat nominee, Dr. Annie Anderson.

Consider first what we need (the “we” being the State of South Carolina, the U.S. Senate, and the nation). We need a new senator to capably fill the many roles the talented workhorse Lindsey Graham filled so well, including exercising the Senate’s legislative and judicial nominee-approval responsibilities and, in Graham’s case, serving as a trusted adviser to the president.

Perhaps just as importantly, both in political terms and, in my view, to the benefit of the nation, the GOP needs to protect that Senate seat from the grasp of the Democrat Party — and particularly from Dr. Anderson, an acknowledged Democratic Socialist. The loss of the seat, inconceivable until recently, could flip the Senate majority to the Democrats, with severe long-term consequences.

With that in mind, what, specifically, should we be looking for in a candidate? I’d break it down to four key credentials:

1.) Stature — a candidate already recognized by South Carolinians, by colleagues in government, and by the voting public as a standout public servant. He or she must be seen as standing above the norm in Congress, the very first step in securing public trust once in office.

2.) Experience — the candidate must know his or her way around the job at hand, to the point that he/she is ready on day one to get things done in that heady environment. (Note: Experience as measured by time in office, and particularly time on the public dole, is often not what it’s cracked up to be. What’s important here is applicable and productive experience.)

3.) Capability — being an effective senator demands unique skills, including, first and foremost, the ability to interact effectively and respectfully with Senate and House colleagues on both sides of the political aisle. The new senator must possess a sound, thorough understanding of the Constitution in order to fairly examine judicial appointees. He or she must be able to provide meaningful counsel to the executive, up to and including the president, with clarity of thought and exceptional communication skills, and to communicate effectively with the media and public.

4.) Accomplishment — not just being there, but getting things done. This includes authenticity, being the real deal, and it goes beyond potential achievement. We’ve all had our fill of glib politicians who talk a big game but don’t actually accomplish much.

Given that simple list of qualifying credentials for Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat, we remain stuck with the reality that the late senator set the gold standard. But it serves as a basis for every voter’s personal decision about whom to support.

Regarding the candidates identified as of this writing:

Russell Fry has served two terms in the House, as did Lindsey Graham when he was first elected senator. Fry is a young man (41) with a long congressional career still ahead. Reportedly, he is calm, articulate, disciplined, and professional in his demeanor.

Ralph Norman has served five terms as a U.S. congressman. He is a passionate advocate of conservative positions. At age 73 (two years older than Lindsey at the time of his death), he is still a relative newcomer to government service. While that is wholly consistent with our Founders’ vision of congressional representatives who are not professional politicians, if Norman were elected to fill the Graham opening, he would likely not have a long follow-on Senate career.

Neither Fry nor Norman seems to have been particularly influential as a representative. Both are reliable conservative members of the House, but neither has made his mark on Congress; both are relatively unknown among the broader electorate and are not even well known in South Carolina outside their own districts.

Now, with all due respect to Senator Darlene Graham’s commitment to continue her brother’s mission, and with the expectation that she would attack the job with full Graham-like energy and enthusiasm, the fact remains that she is an absolute rookie seeking instant advancement to the major leagues. She is a sentimental favorite but, in my view, a nearly unknown candidate and thus a risky choice.

But as a South Carolina resident and voter, I believe the best candidate by far would be a widely known, respected, and eminently qualified individual — one who, as of this writing, has not indicated an intent to seek the job — attorney, longtime close friend of Lindsey Graham, and former South Carolina Congressman Trey Gowdy.

Gowdy served as a high-profile, widely respected congressman for four terms and was a close associate of South Carolina Senators Graham and Tim Scott. He is, by all reports, a true expert in constitutional law. He was considered by many to have unlimited potential for growth in government service.

Eight years ago, Gowdy made a personal and family decision to return to his private legal practice in his beloved South Carolina. Evidently, he’s been successful and happy in that life. He has also been (not surprisingly) an insightful host of the weekly Fox News program “Sunday Night in America.”

Gowdy has shown little interest in a return to elected government service. This strikes me as a great reason to be enthused about his return. I believe he would be enthusiastically supported by South Carolinians; he is eminently electable and by far the most likely candidate (or, as of yet, non-candidate) to follow in Lindsey Graham’s footsteps.

Trey, are you listening?