Story perspectives

Trump-Backed Graham Wins SC Senate Primary, Evette Faces Runoff

6/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump’s endorsement helped Lindsey Graham secure the Republican Senate nomination without a runoff, while his backing of Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette only earned her a runoff spot.
Lindsey Graham won the South Carolina Republican Senate primary outright on June 9, while Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson advanced to a June 23 runoff for governor.
Graham’s campaign raised more than $28.7 million, whereas Democratic Senate nominee Annie Andrews raised over $8 million during the primary cycle.
Jermaine Johnson secured the Democratic runoff for governor, while Annie Andrews won the Democratic Senate nomination outright on June 9.
A Republican-led state Senate rejected a Trump-backed congressional map that would have altered Rep. James Clyburn’s district, leaving his seat largely intact.

History

Historical Context

The 1993 U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling in Shaw v. Reno struck down a racially drawn North Carolina district, forcing the GOP-controlled legislature to redraw maps. Decades of similar challenges, including the 2017 Cooper v. Harris decision, have kept Southern redistricting under court scrutiny. Today South Carolina’s Republican Senate rejected a Trump-backed map targeting Rep. James Clyburn’s district, echoing that legacy.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump’s endorsement helped Lindsey Graham secure the Republican Senate nomination without a runoff, while his backing of Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette only earned her a runoff spot.
Lindsey Graham won the South Carolina Republican Senate primary outright on June 9, while Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson advanced to a June 23 runoff for governor.
Graham’s campaign raised more than $28.7 million, whereas Democratic Senate nominee Annie Andrews raised over $8 million during the primary cycle.
Jermaine Johnson secured the Democratic runoff for governor, while Annie Andrews won the Democratic Senate nomination outright on June 9.
A Republican-led state Senate rejected a Trump-backed congressional map that would have altered Rep. James Clyburn’s district, leaving his seat largely intact.

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