Darline Graham and Ralph Norman Move to GOP Senate Runoff in South Carolina

Sen. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman are set to compete in a runoff election on Aug. 25, the South Carolina Republican Party announced, after both finished as the top vote-getters in Tuesday’s special primary. The primary, held to select a nominee for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, required a runoff because no candidate reached the 50 percent threshold.

Ten Republicans contested the primary, which followed Governor Henry McMaster’s appointment of Darline Graham, the late senator’s sister, to complete the remainder of his term. Graham, 62, a former commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, announced her candidacy for a full term shortly after being sworn in, citing encouragement and an endorsement from President Donald Trump.

Other candidates included Rep. Russell Fry, Rep. Ralph Norman, former Gov. Mark Sanford and businessman Mark Lynch. While opponents praised Graham’s support of her brother’s legacy, they questioned her lack of elected-office experience and her ability to serve a six-year term.

The runoff will determine the Republican nominee who is expected to face Democrat Annie Andrews in the November general election, a race analysts consider likely to remain safely Republican.