Darline Graham Advances To Runoff In Race For Late Brother’s Senate Seat
Republican South Carolina Sen. Darline Graham advanced to an August 25 run off election to replace her late brother on the GOP ticket.
Republican South Carolina Sen. Darline Graham advanced to an August 25 run off election to replace her late brother on the GOP ticket.
Graham, who was appointed to serve out the late Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham’s term, led Republican South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman by eight percentage points at the time of this writing, according to The Associated Press. Graham’s candidacy caught some South Carolina Republicans off guard, while candidates criticized her late brother’s hawkish foreign policy record.
South Carolina Freedom Conference Chairman Jordan Pace told the Daily Caller that some Republicans were frustrated with Graham’s decision to run for a full term, with some also being frustrated with her late brother’s policies and governing style.
“Every time Lindsey would win, we just didn’t get it. It’s all about his network, the money, and who supports him, including AIPAC and the military-industrial complex,” Republican South Carolina state Rep. Jay Kilmartin told the Caller.
A pool of ten candidates, including Norman, Graham, South Carolina Rep. Russel Fry and former Republican South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford challenged one another for the nomination. Norman recently sought the nomination for governor and placed third in the primary.
Graham announced she would run for a full six years on July 20, weeks after Republican South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed her to finish her late brother’s term. President Donald Trump endorsed Graham ahead of the runoff on Aug. 4.
“During her visit, I asked Darline, for the Good of our Nation, to run for the U.S. Senate in the Special Republican Primary on Tuesday, August 11, 2026,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “She accepted, as there is nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey. Darline, who comes from an absolutely incredible family, has been a WINNER all of her life, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement in the Special Election for U.S. Senate in South Carolina — SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”