Donald Trump Endorsed Darline Graham Wins South Carolina Senate Runoff

Darline Graham, who was appointed to fill the Senate seat left vacant by her brother Lindsey Graham's death, won the Republican runoff for South Carolina's U.S. Senate seat on Tuesday, receiving 52.5% of the vote against Rep. Ralph Norman's 47.5%. The victory makes her the party’s nominee for the November general election.

Graham credited President Donald Trump for the win, saying, "Our victory would not have been possible without you, and we are truly grateful. South Carolina is truly Trump country." Trump campaigned in the Pee Dee region near Myrtle Beach and his endorsement was bolstered by local Rep. Russell Fry, who finished third in the earlier primary.

Turnout in the runoff exceeded the August primary by about 33,000 voters, a reversal of the typical decline seen in South Carolina runoffs. Graham also benefited from a sizable financial edge, including more than $800,000 in phone and text outreach funded by the Trump-aligned super PAC MAGA Inc., and extensive advertising that highlighted Norman's record.

Norman, a conservative congressman from the Charlotte suburbs, had previously supported President Trump on most votes but had backed Nikki Haley in the 2024 presidential primary and was perceived as less aligned with Trump’s agenda. He also ran a gubernatorial campaign earlier in the year, which voters said made him appear as a career politician.

Political observers noted that Graham's win underscores Trump’s continued influence within the Republican base, even as his favorability among the broader electorate remains low. The result adds pressure on Republican candidates in upcoming midterm races to balance appeal to Trump-aligned voters with the need to attract swing-district electorates.