South Carolina GOP Senate primary heads to a runoff
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South Carolina Republicans Sen. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman. Photos: Finn Gomez & Grant Baldwin.
Sen. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) advanced Tuesday to a runoff in South Carolina's crowded Republican Senate primary, per the AP, extending the fight to succeed the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Why it matters: The Aug. 25 runoff will almost certainly determine South Carolina's next senator.
- Graham's abbreviated campaign has relied on the immediate advantages of incumbency, President Trump's support and one of the most recognizable names in South Carolina politics.
- Norman has argued that Republican voters should judge candidates by their records, presenting himself as a proven conservative rather than a first-time candidate elevated by a famous name.
- The eventual Republican nominee will be heavily favored against Democrat Annie Andrews in November in one of the nation's most reliably Republican states. Democrats have not won a U.S. Senate election there since 1998.
Driving the news: No candidate won the majority required to secure the Republican nomination outright, according to AP.
The big picture: The result narrows a sprawling nine-candidate contest to a head-to-head fight among the race's three dominant forces.
- Graham, 62, has cast herself as a political outsider who can continue her brother's constituent-focused work while serving as a reliable vote for Trump's agenda. She never held public office prior to her current role.
- She entered the race on July 20, days after Gov. Henry McMaster (R) appointed her to serve temporarily in the seat held by her late brother.
- She announced her campaign during an interview with TV host Sean Hannity after Trump publicly encouraged her to run.
As votes were counted Tuesday, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) and Rep. Russell Fry (R-S.C.) were neck-and-neck for the No. 2 spot — with Norman ultimately prevailing.
- Norman, 73, is a hard-line conservative and vice chair of the House Freedom Caucus.
In June, Norman placed third in South Carolina's Republican gubernatorial primary, behind Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson, the state's attorney general.
- He endorsed former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in the 2024 election and has described her as a friend.
- He has said he told Trump about the endorsement prior to offering it, but the decision could have cost him Trump's backing in both his recent bids, The New York Times reported.
The intrigue: The runoff will offer a revealing test of Trump's influence over a Republican electorate in which nearly every major candidate supports his agenda.
What's next: The two finalists have 14 days to consolidate the supporters of the eliminated candidates.
Editor's note: This story was updated with additional developments and context.
