Senator Darline Graham secured a victory in South Carolina’s Republican Senate primary runoff on August 25, 2026, defeating Representative Ralph Norman. This outcome marks a significant endorsement win for President Donald Trump, who actively supported Graham’s campaign.
Graham’s win follows a concerted effort by Trump, who recruited, endorsed, and campaigned for her after her brother, Lindsey Graham, passed away six weeks prior. Trump held an in-person rally for Graham in Myrtle Beach on the preceding Friday and a tele-rally the night before the runoff. Additionally, an allied super PAC made a late push with $830,000 to boost her campaign.
Representative Norman conceded the race in Rock Hill, expressing his disappointment but acknowledging the election results. He noted that the president’s involvement and the substantial funding Graham received from outside PACs played a role in the outcome. Norman stated that his campaign’s money came from South Carolina and his personal account, contrasting it with the $8 million spent against him by external PACs. Despite his reluctance, Norman indicated he would support Graham in the general election, stating he would not back the Democrat.
The Justice Department deployed staff to monitor polling sites in South Carolina, including Charleston County, during the GOP primary runoff. This effort was part of a broader initiative to ensure election transparency and compliance with federal civil rights laws, with over 80 people sent to seven states and more than 200 locations during the primary election cycle.
During the campaign, Graham faced questions regarding her stance on national security and affordability. When asked about specific plans for affordability, she responded that details would emerge once she was in office. She also noted that voters she spoke with were primarily concerned with healthcare costs and affordability, rather than national security issues like Taiwan or the South China Sea.
Early voting showed Graham with a 14-point lead, hitting benchmarks in key counties. She led Norman 73% to 27% in Horry County, where Trump held his rally. In Florence County, a strong area for the third-place finisher in the initial primary, Graham secured 68% of the vote in the runoff. Norman, however, garnered significant support in Greenville County, leading 62% to 38% there, which helped narrow Graham’s statewide advantage.