Story perspectives

Trump Backs Graham Sister in South Carolina Senate Primary

8/9/2026

Center

Russell Fry Leads

South Carolina will hold a Republican special primary on Aug. 11 to choose the nominee for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Sen. Lindsey Graham.
A straw poll of 156 Charleston County Republicans gave Russell Fry 32% support, leading Ralph Norman and Duke Buckner.
Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to serve her brother’s term remainder until Jan. 3.
Voting began Wednesday and will close Friday, a runoff if no candidate reaches 50%.

Right

Trump Endorses

South Carolina will hold a Republican special primary on Aug. 11 to select the nominee for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Candidates delivered six-minute personal pitches at a “speed-dating” forum hosted by GOP gubernatorial nominee Alan Wilson.
U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Darline Graham Nordone, Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sister, for the primary.
Ralph Norman said he would change Senate rules, including the filibuster, to pass SAVE Act.

Blindspot

The PAC Security is Strength has spent more than $1 million on television, digital and direct-mail advertisements supporting Darline Graham and using artificial-intelligence-generated ads to target rival candidate Russell Fry.
Within this story's sources, this campaign-finance and AI-targeting angle appears mainly in Center-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Right-leaning coverage.

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Russell Fry Leads

South Carolina will hold a Republican special primary on Aug. 11 to choose the nominee for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Sen. Lindsey Graham.
A straw poll of 156 Charleston County Republicans gave Russell Fry 32% support, leading Ralph Norman and Duke Buckner.
Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to serve her brother’s term remainder until Jan. 3.
Voting began Wednesday and will close Friday, a runoff if no candidate reaches 50%.

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