Sen. Darline Graham won the Republican Senate runoff in South Carolina on Tuesday night, as projected by CBS News, defeating Rep. Ralph Norman in the special primary to replace her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, on the ballot this November. Lindsey Graham, a four-term senator who had been seeking reelection, died unexpectedly last month, leading to a swift effort to fill his Senate seat and secure a spot on the ballot. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to serve out the remainder of her brother's term, which concludes early next year. However, the decision regarding who would be on the ballot for a full six-year term was left to the voters, following Lindsey Graham's GOP nomination in June.
President Trump encouraged Darline Graham to run for a full term, although his endorsement did not deter other Republicans, including Norman, from entering the race. In the special primary election held on August 11, Darline Graham received nearly 33% of the vote, while Norman garnered almost 25%. Since neither candidate achieved the required 50% of the vote, a runoff was necessary.
As the runoff neared, Darline Graham presented herself as "a problem solver, a critical thinker, and a leader," despite her limited experience in elected office. She highlighted her decades of service to South Carolina, most recently as commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind. Darline Graham emphasized her close relationship with her brother, who had no spouse or children, and credited their parents for instilling a strong work ethic in them. While she pledged to honor her brother's legacy, she also indicated her intention to bring her own perspective to the Senate.
During her campaign, Darline Graham's experience and capability to serve a full term became focal points. This was particularly evident when she struggled to respond to a debate question about Taiwan and the South China Sea, stating she was "not that informed on national security." This moment raised concerns among South Carolinians about supporting a candidate with less experience.
In contrast, Norman emphasized his credentials as a conservative legislator. The 73-year-old real estate developer has represented South Carolina in the House since 2017 and differentiated himself from Darline Graham by labeling her an "unknown candidate."
Darline Graham's victory in the runoff was bolstered by President Trump's support, who campaigned for her in South Carolina and hosted a tele-rally the day before the election. Trump acknowledged his encouragement for her candidacy, stating, "I said, 'Darline, you gotta do it.' Because everyone loves her, everyone respects her… I think Lindsey respected Darline more than any other person he knows, including me."
In her victory speech, Graham expressed gratitude to Trump, stating, "Our victory would not have been possible without you, and we are truly grateful." The president's political action committee reportedly spent over $800,000 on outreach to South Carolina voters for her campaign, according to the Federal Election Commission.
Darline Graham's win positions her for a contest in November against Dr. Annie Andrews, who won the Democratic primary in June. The seat is anticipated to remain under GOP control, as South Carolina has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1998, and Trump won the state by 18 points in the 2024 election.