Full Breakdown
Trump Endorsements Falter in Recent GOP Primaries
8/13/2026, 1:04:43 AM
Primary Results Undermine Trump-Backed Candidates
In the South Carolina Senate primary to replace the late Lindsey Graham, former state legislator Darline Graham, whom President Donald Trump initially urged to be appointed and later endorsed for a full term, finished first with roughly one-third of the vote and will face a runoff. Republican Rep. Ralph Norman, also endorsed by Trump, captured just under a quarter, while Rep. Russell Fry earned 19.6 % and former governor Mark Sanford about 15 %. In Minnesota’s gubernatorial primary, Trump’s full-throttle support for My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell failed to secure the nomination; Lindell lost by double digits to state House Speaker Lisa Demuth.
Vote Shares Highlight Limited Endorsement Power
- Darline Graham: ~33 % (first place, advancing to runoff)
- Ralph Norman: <25 % (second place)
- Russell Fry: 19.6 %
- Mark Sanford: ~15 %
- Mike Lindell (Minnesota): defeated by double-digit margin
These figures show that two-thirds of South Carolina Republican voters chose candidates other than the Trump-backed Graham, and Lindell’s loss in a Democratic-leaning state underscores the endorsement’s limited sway.
Party Leaders Criticize the President’s Interference
Minnesota GOP chairman Alex Plechash publicly rebuked Trump’s involvement, stating, “When the going got tough under Tim Walz, Mike Lindell left Minnesota for Texas,” and adding that Lindell’s should not be ignored. The Minnesota Republican Party’s repudiation of the incumbent president’s preferred candidate marks an unusual intra-party rebuke.
Implications for Trump’s Influence Within the GOP
While Trump remains the party’s de facto leader, the recent primary outcomes suggest his endorsements no longer guarantee victory when candidates are perceived as liabilities or insufficiently aligned with core MAGA priorities. The setbacks signal growing willingness among GOP officials and voters to diverge from presidential guidance, potentially reshaping the dynamics of candidate selection ahead of the 2024 election cycle.
