Darline Graham, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, emerged victorious in the Republican primary runoff for the U.S. Senate seat in South Carolina on Tuesday, as per projections by U.S. media outlets. Following her brother’s passing on July 11, Darline was appointed to temporarily hold the Senate seat until January. She secured a win over Representative Ralph Norman and is now set to compete in the upcoming November election for a full six-year Senate term.
President Donald Trump threw his support behind Darline’s candidacy and made substantial campaign contributions through his MAGA INC super PAC. During a rally in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Trump highlighted his endorsement of Graham by declaring, “I am on the ballot.”
At 62 years old, Graham will go head-to-head with Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, in the general election. Given the state’s conservative leaning, Graham is anticipated to have a smooth path to victory. This primary election served as a test of Trump’s influence on voters leading up to this year’s midterm elections, where he aims to maintain Republican control of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.
Despite Trump’s endorsement, Graham faced a setback during an earlier debate where she admitted a lack of expertise in national security matters, a field that was central to her late brother’s Senate career. To address this misstep, Graham used the recent rally to redirect focus to domestic issues such as immigration policies and anti-abortion advocacy.
Prior to her Senate appointment, Darline’s professional background involved advocacy for individuals with physical disabilities, without prior experience in public office. South Carolina has consistently favored Trump in presidential elections and is not expected to be a key battleground in the control of Congress.
Representative Ralph Norman, a 73-year-old real estate developer with nearly a decade of experience in the U.S. House, faced defeat in this primary following an unsuccessful gubernatorial bid. Trump’s support for Graham included significant financial backing through MAGA INC, reflecting the president’s investment in her campaign.
Overall, Darline Graham’s victory in the Republican primary runoff sets the stage for a compelling showdown in the upcoming general election, with implications for the balance of power in Congress.