RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesThe condensed two-week runoff campaign has proved contentious following an August 11 primary that saw both candidates emerge at the top of the field
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South Carolina Republicans return to the polls on Tuesday to decide a high-stakes U.S. Senate primary runoff, choosing between Sen. Darline Graham and U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman just one month after the sudden death of Lindsey Graham.
The condensed two-week runoff campaign has proved contentious following an August 11 primary that saw both candidates emerge at the top of the field.
Darline Graham, a political newcomer appointed to serve as an interim replacement for her late brother, has struggled to establish an independent political profile in a state long accustomed to voting for her family.
Meanwhile, Norman has drawn on nearly two decades of state and federal political experience, presenting himself as a known quantity despite a recent third-place finish in the Republican gubernatorial primary.
President Donald Trump underpins the race, a long-time ally of the late Graham. Trump endorsed Darline Graham before she officially entered the race, campaigned on her behalf days before the vote, and hosted a virtual rally with her on the eve of the election.
On Monday, the pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc. directed nearly $830,000 into her campaign to fund voter calls and text messaging outreach ahead of the polls opening.
It remains uncertain whether Trump’s endorsement can carry a candidate whose political views were largely unestablished prior to her appointment. Equally unclear is whether Norman’s hard-line conservative message will resonate across the state just two months after his loss in the governor's primary.
Trump’s active involvement reflects a desire to shape who fills the vacancy left by Lindsey Graham, who died on July 11.
Describing the appointment of Darline Graham as "a fabulous tribute," Trump encouraged her to seek the full term and issued an endorsement prior to her formal campaign announcement.
Appearing in Myrtle Beach, Trump told a crowd of several thousand that electing Graham was essential to preserving tax cuts and other legislative priorities.
"I want it to happen," he said. "Good luck, Darline."
Throughout her campaign, Graham aligned herself closely with Trump's platform, regularly highlighting her co-sponsorship of voting legislation favored by the president.
Her message resonated with early voters such as Robert Tropiano, who cast his ballot near the Myrtle Beach rally site.
"Trump wants her, he’s doing a great job and I believe we should give him what he wants," Tropiano said.
During the initial phase of the primary, when Senate duties kept her in Washington, Graham addressed voters through video messages, emphasizing that she was "working hard for you" and criticizing congressional breaks.
Norman, entering the race shortly after his unsuccessful gubernatorial bid, brought higher name recognition to the contest.
He secured endorsements from several prominent figures on the right, including Sens. Rick Scott and Mike Lee, former senator Jim DeMint, and Turning Point Action, the conservative youth organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk.
As one of the House's most conservative members, Norman emphasized his willingness to take tough stances, noting that while he routinely supports Trump's policies, he endorsed former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley during the early phase of the 2024 presidential primary.
A former real estate developer, Norman personally funded part of his campaign, contributing more than $1 million in the final week.
He repeatedly criticized Graham’s campaign as overly managed, alleging in an interview with The Associated Press that she was reliant on "Washington elite" special interests who were "dictating the terms and giving her the political answers."
The single debate between the two candidates produced a contentious exchange on foreign policy, a key area of focus for the late Lindsey Graham. When asked whether the U.S. holds a national security interest in Taiwan and the South China Sea—a long-standing position of successive administrations—Graham struggled to respond.
"National security is not my thing," she stated, adding, "I’m not that informed on national security."
Graham redirected to her brother's record and noted a preference for domestic priorities such as economic affordability.
Norman responded by describing Taiwan as "a definite ally" and praising Trump for "enabling Taiwan to defend themselves against China," later asserting that Graham’s response called into question her readiness for office.
The primary winner will advance to face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, a Charleston physician who secured her party's nomination in June. Andrews, whose initial strategy focused entirely on challenging Lindsey Graham, has since adjusted her campaign to address the broader Republican field.
South Carolina has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in decades. In his final campaign in 2020, Lindsey Graham won reelection by 10 percentage points in what became the most expensive political contest in state history.
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