Darline Graham wins South Carolina GOP Senate runoff
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Sen. Darline Graham during a televised debate in Newberry, S.C., on Aug. 18. Photo: Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images
Sen. Darline Graham, President Trump's endorsed candidate, won the Republican nomination Tuesday to fill the Senate vacancy created by her brother Lindsey Graham's death, per the AP.
Why it matters: The victory underscores Trump's continued sway with Republican voters and positions Graham as the odds-on favorite to win a full term in November.
- Graham, 62, will be heavily favored against Democrat Annie Andrews in November. Democrats have not won a U.S. Senate election in South Carolina since 1998.
Driving the news: Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman finished first and second, respectively, in the Aug. 11 primary and advanced to Tuesday's runoff after neither won the majority needed to secure the nomination outright.
- Graham entered the race July 20, days after Gov. Henry McMaster (R) appointed her to serve temporarily in the seat held by her late brother — her first time holding elected office.
- Her abbreviated primary campaign benefited from Trump's endorsement, the advantages of incumbency and one of the most recognizable names in South Carolina politics.
- In addition to campaigning with Graham in South Carolina on Friday, MAGA Inc. made a last-minute push for her, spending more than $827,000 on phone calls and text messages ahead of Tuesday's vote, according to FEC reports.
Zoom in: Graham's statement during a runoff debate that she was "not that informed on national security," in response to a question about U.S. policy toward Taiwan, fueled questions about her readiness for the job.
- It also highlighted the contrast with her late brother, who for decades was a Senate leader on foreign policy and national security matters.
- Norman posted on X: "South Carolina deserves a Senator who UNDERSTANDS Foreign Policy. I'm a PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH supporter! No more forever wars!"
The other side: Norman, 73, 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.
- A hard-line conservative, Norman is 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.
Between the lines: Both Graham and Norman flooded the airwaves, spending a combined total of more than $5 million on ads during the primary runoff, according to AdImpact.
- "Stand with President Trump. Vote Darline Graham for Senate," one pro-Graham ad stated, while another accused Norman of being a "career politician."
- "This election is not for sale," Norman said in one ad. "South Carolina needs a proven conservative with a record of fighting for you. You shouldn't have to guess where your next senator stands. With me, you already know."
