Darline Graham Wins South Carolina’s GOP Primary Runoff

Senator Darline Graham has emerged victorious over Representative Ralph Norman in South Carolina’s Republican primary runoff, according to projections by NBC News. This win marks a significant moment for President Donald Trump, who actively supported Graham through recruitment, endorsement, and campaigning in the wake of her brother Lindsey Graham’s passing six weeks ago.

With the majority of votes counted, Graham led Norman with approximately 52% to 48%. Encouraged by Trump’s strong support, Graham decided to pursue a full six-year term following her appointment by Governor Henry McMaster. Trump actively campaigned for Graham, hosting an in-person rally in Myrtle Beach and a tele-rally, while his allied super PAC injected $830,000 to bolster her campaign. During the rally, Trump urged voters to support Graham, emphasizing her commitment to putting America first and honoring her late brother Lindsey’s legacy.

At 62, Graham is now poised to face Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, in the upcoming November general election. As the preferred candidate in the strongly Republican state, she follows in the footsteps of her brother, who served in both the Senate and House for more than three decades. Despite facing accusations of nepotism and lack of experience, Graham defeated Norman, who has been a Congressional member for nearly ten years. Her past experience includes leading a 130-person state agency focused on aiding blind individuals.

In the initial primary earlier this month, Graham secured 33% of the vote, falling short of the 50% needed to avoid a runoff. Despite a misstep during a debate where she admitted she was not fully informed on national security matters, she focused on domestic policy priorities, such as affordability, aligning her strengths with the needs of South Carolina residents. Trump noted the contrast between Graham’s focus and her brother’s international concerns, highlighting her dedication to affordability and local issues.

During the campaign’s final days, Graham emphasized her intention to continue her brother’s legacy and maintain reliability to Trump’s policies. An advertisement showcased her as the primary sponsor of a Russia sanctions bill renamed in honor of her brother. She also highlighted her vote to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general, reflecting her alignment with Trump’s priorities.

The past six weeks have been dramatic in South Carolina’s Republican arena following Lindsey Graham’s unexpected passing on July 11 due to an aortic tear from hardened arteries. Darline Graham was appointed to serve the remainder of his term shortly after. Despite her appointment and Trump’s backing, her succession prompted a competitive field of candidates, including Norman, Rep. Russell Fry, former Gov. Mark Sanford, and businessman Mark Lynch.

Although Norman irritated Trump by endorsing former Governor Nikki Haley over Trump in the upcoming presidential primary, he has consistently opposed Trump on multiple issues. Norman, part of the House Freedom Caucus, initially opposed Trump’s significant tax-and-spending cuts but later supported them after some negotiation.

The runoff brought a divide among conservatives. While Graham had the backing of Trump, McMaster, and Senator Tim Scott, Norman gained support from former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, Rep. Nancy Mace, former Governor Mark Sanford, and former Senator Jim DeMint. Norman performed well in upstate areas within his congressional district, while Graham excelled in coastal and Columbia areas.

Trump’s South Carolina visit and Fry’s endorsement seemingly boosted Graham’s performance in Horry County. In the initial primary, Fry won significant votes, but in the runoff, Graham secured over 26,000 votes in the county, showing a strategic gain over Norman’s nearly 10,000 votes.