Darline Graham’s Senate Win Reinforces Trump’s Grip on South Carolina GOP
Darline Graham secured a full term in the South Carolina Republican Senate primary runoff, underscoring Donald Trump’s continuing influence in the state’s party politics.
Following the death of Senator Lindsey Graham, Governor Henry McMaster named his sister Darline Graham to the vacant seat and Trump immediately threw his support behind her bid for a full term. Graham topped the first round of the special primary and then clashed with Rep. Ralph Norman in a runoff, prompting Trump to hold a rally in Myrtle Beach to boost her campaign. Although she stumbled in a debate by admitting limited knowledge of foreign policy, the president’s endorsement appeared decisive, as one outlet called the race with Graham at about 53% and Norman at 47%.
Her win in Horry County, which includes Myrtle Beach, suggested the rally energized voters. The result stands out amid a series of recent defeats for Trump-endorsed candidates in Florida, Tennessee, Michigan and Minnesota, offering the president a rare victory in a GOP-leaning state that had recently resisted his influence.
Why it matters
The outcome shows how Trump’s backing can still sway Republican primaries, affecting future party direction.
How this story developed
- Aug 17 Midterm outlook shifts as key Senate and governor contests turn competitive
- Aug 21 Donald Trump appeared at a Myrtle Beach rally backing Sen. Darline Graham, prompting Republican operatives in swing states to question his allocation of support.
- Aug 21 Trump made an in‑person appearance to endorse Graham ahead of the runoff.
- Aug 22 Trump held a rally in Myrtle Beach urging voters to support Graham ahead of the runoff.
- Aug 22 Former Republican David Jolly secured the Democratic nomination for governor.
- Aug 22 The Cook Political Report updated its ratings for the Texas and Iowa Senate contests.
- Aug 24 A runoff election has been scheduled for Tuesday.
- Aug 24 Early voting for the runoff recorded 63,712 ballots, slightly ahead of the 61,775 cast in the primary.
- Aug 24 Make America Great Again Inc. has committed almost $828,000 to support Darline Graham Nordone in the South Carolina Senate GOP primary runoff against Ralph Norman.
- Aug 25 Tuesday runoff election was held to select the GOP nominee.
- Aug 25 Voters cast ballots in the runoff on Tuesday.
- Aug 25 A Trafalgar Group poll shows the race essentially tied, with Graham at 47.9% and Norman at 47.8% and 4.4% undecided.
- Aug 25 University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll shows Democrat James Talarico ahead of Republican Ken Paxton.
- Aug 25 Graham’s debate remark about limited national‑security knowledge sparked concerns about her qualifications.
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