Trump-backed Darline Graham wins South Carolina Senate GOP runoff

Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., speaks at a campaign event in Columbia, S.C., following her win on Tuesday. (Megan Varner/Getty Images)

By Daniela Altimari Posted August 25, 2026 at 10:57pm | Updated at 11:51pm

South Carolina Sen. Darline Graham on Tuesday capitalized on the strong support of President Donald Trump to win the Republican primary runoff to replace her late brother, Lindsey Graham, on the November ballot.

With more than 95 percent of votes in, Darline Graham was leading Rep. Ralph Norman, 52 percent to 48 percent, The Associated Press reported.

Trump picked up another win Tuesday in Oklahoma, where his preferred candidate for governor, former state Sen. Mike Mazzei, narrowly prevailed in a Republican runoff against state Attorney General Gentner Drummond.

Trump's Role in the Campaign

In South Carolina, the president was behind Graham every step of the way. She was initially appointed to fill the remainder of her brother's term following his unexpected death from an aortic tear in July. She then announced she would seek a full six-year term after Trump encouraged her to run in the special election.

"Mr. President, Lindsey truly loved you and viewed you as one of his closest friends," Graham said during her victory speech, addressing Trump directly. "I appreciate that bond and appreciate all that you've done for our country. Our victory would not have been possible without you, and we are truly grateful."

After she made it through the initial round of voting two weeks ago, Trump doubled down in his support:

• He hosted a rally for her in Myrtle Beach on Friday
• He opened the purse strings of his super PAC
• He encouraged other South Carolina Republicans — including Rep. Russell Fry, who finished third in the first round of balloting — to back her

At the Myrtle Beach rally, Trump urged Republicans to turn out for Graham in a state he carried easily in three presidential elections: "What I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I'm on the ballot."

Broader Implications

Graham's victory provides Trump with a key boost heading into November, when his sliding poll numbers could hurt the GOP's efforts to maintain control of the House and the Senate. Trump's endorsement, once viewed as a golden ticket to victory in Republican primaries, has lost some of its shine in recent months, with several Trump-backed candidates for House, Senate and governor falling short.

Norman's Reaction

Norman, who has been in the House since 2017, is coming off an unsuccessful run for governor, in which he placed third in the June primary. A member of the hard-line House Freedom Caucus and a staunch conservative, he reflected Tuesday on Trump's decision to support Graham.

"The president got involved. He has that right. That's his prerogative," the congressman told his supporters as a chorus of boos ran through the crowd. "His policies are good. I never understood why he got in this race. … But it is what it is, and I'll accept it."

Campaign Challenges

Graham, who led a state commission that provides services to blind people, stumbled during a recent debate, when she acknowledged that she was "not that informed on national security" matters. That was at odds with the legacy of her late brother, a well-known defense hawk who crisscrossed the globe to promote an interventionist foreign policy. But Graham sought to deflect the criticism, presenting herself as a plainspoken candidate focused on local concerns.