South Carolina GOP Senate Primary Tests Trump’s Enduring Influence, College Staffers Split

Tuesday’s GOP Senate primary in South Carolina, held to replace the late Lindsey Graham, is being treated as an unofficial referendum on Donald Trump’s influence after his endorsement failed to carry his gubernatorial pick, Attorney General Alan Wilson, to victory over Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette. College campaign staffers are divided: Jack Lyle, a Clemson College Republicans chair who worked on Wilson’s campaign, contends that Trump’s endorsements are waning, pointing to the recent backing of Darline Graham Nordone, the late senator’s sister, as evidence.

An Emerson College poll shows Rep. Ralph Norman ahead with 22% support, Nordone at 19%, and 53% of respondents saying Trump’s endorsement of her does not sway them. Conversely, Anderson Matthias, a University of South Carolina junior, says the endorsement has helped Nordone’s bid and highlights the youthful workforce’s role in campaign operations. The race will advance to a runoff on Aug. 25 if no candidate secures a majority, with the eventual Republican nominee set to face Democrat Annie Andrews in the November general election.