- Senator Darline Graham, appointed to complete the Senate term of her late brother, Lindsey Graham, will face congressman Ralph Norman in a runoff election for the Republican nomination.
- Graham held a narrow lead in the polls going into the abbreviated special primary on Tuesday, which predicted a close contest for second place.
- Norman, Russell Fry, a congressman, and Mark Sanford, a former governor, polled within a point of each other in the most recent from the Trafalgar Group.
- The winner of the runoff on 25 August will face Annie Andrews, the Democratic nominee and a pediatrician, in November.
- Graham has loudly trumpeted her endorsement from President Trump, but also enjoys the support of South Carolina’s governor, Henry McMaster, and John Thune, the Senate majority leader.
- Graham highlighted her experience running a state agency and her legislative accomplishments, including the passage of a sanctions bill targeting Russia and being the deciding vote on Todd Blanche as attorney general.
- Norman’s congressional district in the suburbs of Charlotte is vote-rich for Republicans, contributing disproportionately to statewide primary results.
- Norman, who has served in Congress since 2017, had broad support from state legislators and a statewide campaign apparatus that had largely remained intact after his failed primary bid for the governor’s office in June.
Sen. Darline Graham advanced to a runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman for the Republican nomination in South Carolina's special primary, set for August 25. Graham, who was appointed to fill her late brother Lindsey Graham's Senate seat, held a narrow lead in the polls leading up to the election.12
Graham's campaign has been bolstered by endorsements from prominent figures, including Governor Henry McMaster and Senate Majority Leader John Thune. She emphasized her experience, stating, “I ran a state agency. I turned it from a struggling agency into a national model. I think that’s great experience to bring to the table,” after casting her ballot.5
In the special primary, Graham's lead was closely contested, with Norman, Russell Fry, and Mark Sanford polling within a point of each other, according to the Trafalgar Group. Norman, who has served in Congress since 2017, has a strong support base from state legislators and a well-established campaign apparatus, despite his recent failed bid for the governor's office in June.310
The winner of the runoff will face Annie Andrews, the Democratic nominee and a pediatrician, in the general election this November. Graham highlighted her legislative achievements, including being the deciding vote on a sanctions bill targeting Russia and on the appointment of Todd Blanche as attorney general, stating, “I think I’ve accomplished a whole lot in three weeks.”4678
“Graham, appointed to complete her late brother Lindsey Graham's term, touted her Trump endorsement and legislative wins, including a Russia sanctions bill and the deciding vote on Todd Blanche as attorney general. The runoff winner on 25 August will face Democrat Annie Andrews in November.”
The Guardian
