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South Carolina sets Aug. 25 runoff for Lindsey Graham seat

8/16/2026

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Summary

Story summary

South Carolina will hold a runoff on Aug. 25, 2026 between Sen. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman for Lindsey Graham’s seat.
President Donald Trump, Sen. Tim Scott, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Rep. Russell Fry have endorsed Graham, earned 32.7% in the Aug. 12 primary, Norman 24.6% and Fry 19.6%.
The runoff winner will face Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews in November, a race Democrats have not won in South Carolina.

History

Historical Context

Strom Thurmond announced his party switch on September 16, 1964, joining Barry Goldwater’s campaign and winning re-election with 62 % of the South Carolina vote, giving Republicans their first Senate seat there since 1877. The August 25, 2026 runoff between Darline Graham and Ralph Norman, backed by Donald Trump and Tim Scott, mirrors that 1964 realignment and could lock in the GOP’s six-decade hold on the seat.

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Story summary

South Carolina will hold a runoff on Aug. 25, 2026 between Sen. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman for Lindsey Graham’s seat.
President Donald Trump, Sen. Tim Scott, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Rep. Russell Fry have endorsed Graham, earned 32.7% in the Aug. 12 primary, Norman 24.6% and Fry 19.6%.
The runoff winner will face Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews in November, a race Democrats have not won in South Carolina.

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