Trump-backed Darline Graham faces Republican runoff in South Carolina Senate race
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Incumbent appointee Darline Graham and Congressman Ralph Norman will compete in a Republican runoff to fill the Senate seat left vacant by the late Lindsey Graham, testing President Donald Trump's influence in the state.
South Carolina Republican voters will return to the polls on Tuesday for a runoff between Sen. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman to determine the party’s nominee for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. Graham, who was appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster to complete her brother’s term and finished first in an Aug. 11 special election with about 33% of the vote, did not reach the threshold to avoid a runoff. Norman, a five-term congressman, received roughly 25% in that contest.
President Donald Trump has endorsed Graham, held a rally for her in Myrtle Beach and his super-PAC, MAGA Inc., has contributed more than $827,000 to her campaign. > "I'm doing this to honor Lindsey. That's why I'm here," Trump said at the rally on Aug. 21.
Graham, who has no prior elected experience, is emphasizing her brother’s legacy and promises to continue his work on behalf of South Carolina. > "I want to continue to fight to finish what he was doing. He helped this state," she told supporters in Aiken.
Norman, who previously ran for governor and finished third, is positioning his congressional experience as an advantage. He also received support from former Gov. Nikki Haley, who has contributed over $700,000 through outside PACs. > "I love being an underdog," Norman said on the day of the vote.
The winner of the runoff will face Democratic pediatrician Annie Andrews in the November general election, a contest analysts consider likely to remain in Republican hands.