South Carolina Holds Special Republican Primary to Replace Late Conservative Powerbroker Lindsey Graham
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A special Republican primary on Tuesday will determine which right-wing candidate will continue Lindsey Graham's legacy, with establishment favorite Darline Graham leading a crowded field.
On Tuesday, South Carolina voters will participate in a special Republican primary to select a candidate to replace the late Senator Lindsey Graham, a figure who long championed conservative causes and obstructed progressive reforms. Graham, who died on July 11 from cardiovascular disease, leaves behind a legacy of blocking healthcare expansion, opposing climate action, and supporting corporate interests. State law requires a special contest when a primary winner vacates the race, triggering this election.
Ten Republicans, most echoing Graham's hardline stances, are vying for the nomination. Darline Graham, the governor's appointee and the late senator’s sister, leads the pack according to a Quantus Insights poll with 30.4%. Her establishment backing is bolstered by Governor Henry McMaster, who appointed her to complete her brother’s term. Former U.S. Representative Ralph Norman and Congressman Russell Fry, both known for their far-right voting records, follow with 17.5% and 16.6%. Former governor Mark Sanford, remembered for his fiscal austerity and scandals, trails at 15.4%. Other candidates include businessman Mark Lynch, lawyer Duke Buckner, biomedical engineer Samuel Shepherd, former Myrtle Beach mayor Mark McBride, retired Air Force officer Glenda Gail Parker, and farmer Danny Lee Ford II—all offering little deviation from the GOP’s reactionary platform.
Polling stations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. The winner will face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, a pediatrician and advocate for public health and social justice, in November’s general election.
By appointing Darline Graham, Governor McMaster ensured the continuation of the Graham dynasty and the entrenchment of conservative power, making her the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate. She has openly pledged to uphold her brother’s regressive policies, signaling little change for working-class and marginalized communities.
The race is expected to favor Republicans in this deeply red state, but some analysts suggest that Graham’s death could open a window for Democrats to challenge the status quo. President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Darline Graham further cements the GOP’s embrace of authoritarian populism. Meanwhile, Annie Andrews has centered her campaign on urgent public-health issues, such as the recent measles outbreak, and presents herself as a candidate for generational change and progress.
"They’re looking for something different, and as a doctor and a mom and someone who represents a generational shift in leadership, that’s exactly what I’m offering," Andrews told the Charleston City Paper.