Trump endorsements face runoff tests in South Carolina Senate and Oklahoma governor races
Republican runoffs in South Carolina and Oklahoma on Tuesday will gauge President Donald Trump's influence after recent primary defeats for his endorsed candidates.
Voters in South Carolina and Oklahoma will cast ballots Tuesday in runoff elections that could signal the strength of President Donald Trump’s endorsements among Republican primary voters.
In South Carolina, the race to replace the late Senator Lindsey Graham will be decided between his sister, Darline Graham, who was appointed to finish his term, and Rep. Ralph Norman. Graham led the initial August 11 primary but fell short of the 50% threshold needed to avoid a second round. Trump has publicly backed Graham, while Norman, a former House member noted for his conservative voting record, has criticized her experience level, citing a debate performance on U.S.-Taiwan relations.
Oklahoma’s gubernatorial runoff pits former Budget Secretary Mike Mazzei against Attorney General Gentner Drummond. Trump endorsed Mazzei in May, describing him as a “MAGA Warrior.” Recent polls show the two candidates virtually tied, each with just over a quarter of the vote, following recent defeats for Trump-backed candidates in Wyoming and Minnesota.
Both Republican nominees are expected to be strong favorites in the November general elections, as the midterm primary calendar nears completion.