- Darline Graham defeated right-wing Republican Congressman Ralph Norman in the runoff, receiving 52.5% of the vote, according to the BBC's US partner CBS News.
- In a post on X, Graham thanked her supporters and the president, and said she was "deeply honoured and humbled" by the result.
- Graham is currently serving in the Senate as a temporary replacement for her brother, who died suddenly in July, and she had never previously run for elected office.
- Darline Graham and Ralph Norman emerged as the top two from a wider field in an initial contest earlier this month.
- Graham's bid received strong backing from President Donald Trump, who travelled to the state to campaign for her, and her victory is seen as evidence of Trump's continuing influence over the Republican Party.
- Political experts expect that Graham will now go on to succeed in the November election, as South Carolina has not elected a Democrat to the Senate for decades.
- During her primary campaign, Graham acknowledged her lack of political experience, particularly after stumbling during a foreign-policy question, saying: "I'm not that informed on national security" and "National security is not my thing, not my area of expertise, but I do support the military."
Darline Graham, sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, has secured the Republican nomination for his former Senate seat in South Carolina, winning the runoff with 52.5% of the vote. Her campaign was notably supported by former President Donald Trump, who visited the state to rally support.167
Graham, who is currently serving as a temporary replacement for her brother after his sudden death in July, had never previously run for elected office. Despite her inexperience, political analysts predict she will be a strong contender in the upcoming November election, especially given South Carolina's history of not electing Democrats to the Senate for decades.34
In the runoff, Graham faced off against right-wing Congressman Ralph Norman, who attempted to frame her as a puppet of Washington politicians. The head-to-head contest followed their emergence as the top two candidates from a larger field in an earlier primary.
In a post on X, Graham expressed gratitude to her supporters and Trump, stating she was "deeply honoured and humbled" by the outcome. However, she acknowledged her lack of political experience, particularly after a stumble during a debate regarding foreign policy, where she admitted, "I'm not that informed on national security."2
As she prepares for the general election, Graham's victory is seen as a testament to Trump's enduring influence within the Republican Party, setting the stage for a competitive race ahead.
“Graham, who had never run for office, defeated right-wing Congressman Ralph Norman, who cast her as a Washington puppet. Her victory underscores Trump's sway, and experts expect her to win in November given South Carolina hasn't elected a Democrat to the Senate in decades.”
BBC
