- Graham defeated right-wing Republican Congressman Ralph Norman, who sought to portray her as a puppet of Washington politicians; with counting almost complete, she had received 52.5% of the vote according to CBS News.
- In a post on X, Graham thanked her supporters and the president, saying she was "deeply honoured and humbled" by the result.
- 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; asked about the US stance towards Taiwan, she said: "I'm not that informed on national security."
- She added: "National security is not my thing, not my area of expertise, but I do support the military."
- Trump said he has raised about $850 million and will spend a lot of that money on Republican candidates he thinks are good.
- Trump’s affiliated Maga Inc. super PAC spent more than $800,000 in ad spending and organizing costs to help Graham Nordone in her Senate primary.
- Polling shows Republicans trailing by mid- to high-single digits on generic ballot questions, giving Democrats a clear advantage in congressional races.
- Another strategist involved in several races said it was time to put up or shut up for Trump and his allies, citing a lack of urgency despite being down big in some states.
Darline Graham, sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, has emerged victorious in the South Carolina Republican Senate runoff, receiving 52.5% of the vote against Ralph Norman. Her campaign, heavily supported by Donald Trump, is seen as a testament to his enduring influence within the Republican Party.
Graham, who is currently serving as a temporary replacement for her brother, acknowledged her lack of political experience during the campaign, particularly after a stumble on a foreign-policy question. She stated, "I'm not that informed on national security", but emphasized her support for the military.67
Political analysts predict a strong chance for Graham in the upcoming November election, as South Carolina has not elected a Democrat to the Senate in decades. Trump's backing included significant financial support, with his affiliated super PAC, Maga Inc., spending over $800,000 on ads and organizing efforts to ensure her victory.10
Despite the optimism surrounding Graham's candidacy, the broader political landscape shows Republicans trailing in several key races, with polling indicating a mid- to high-single digit deficit for Republicans in generic ballot questions. This raises questions about the GOP's strategy as they head into the fall campaign season, with some strategists urging a more urgent response to the shifting dynamics in various states.
Graham's win not only highlights her personal political journey but also reflects the ongoing challenges and opportunities facing the Republican Party as they navigate the upcoming elections.
“Graham received 52.5% of the vote with counting almost complete, according to CBS News. She acknowledged her lack of political experience after stumbling on a foreign-policy question, saying, "I'm not that informed on national security."”
The Independent
