Full Breakdown
Trump-Backed Darline Graham Faces Ralph Norman in South Carolina Senate Runoff
8/25/2026, 7:53:05 AM
Runoff Stakes and Candidates
South Carolina Republican voters will decide on Tuesday, August 25 which candidate will replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham on the November ballot. The runoff pits Sen. Darline Graham, appointed on July 13, against U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, a five-term congressman and former gubernatorial candidate. The winner will meet Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in the general election.
Lead-up and Appointment
Lindsey Graham won the June 9 primary for a fourth Senate term but died on July 11, creating a vacancy. Governor Henry McMaster appointed his sister, Darline Graham, to serve the remainder of the term. She finished first in the August 11 special primary with roughly 33 % of the vote; Rep. Norman placed second with about 25 %.
Voter Turnout and Spending
- Registered voters in South Carolina total about 3.4 million.
- Approximately 465,000 voted in the June 9 primary and 336,000 in the August 11 special primary.
- Early-in-person and mail voting accounted for about 19 % of the August 11 vote.
- The super-PAC MAG A Inc., which supports President Donald Trump, reported a nearly $830,000 independent expenditure on text-message and phone-call outreach for Graham in the final days before the runoff.
Official Endorsements and Campaign Messaging
Gov. McMaster publicly endorsed Graham, calling her the candidate “to win this election.”
Graham emphasizes her family legacy and alignment with Trump’s agenda; Norman stresses his congressional experience and conservative voting record.
Criticism of Graham’s Experience
Graham’s debate performance on August 18 drew sharp criticism. Rep. Norman seized on her response, arguing it shows a lack of qualifications for a Senate seat.
Voter Sentiment on the Ground
Local voters expressed mixed feelings. A South Carolina Republican identified only as Roger attended a Trump-Graham rally wearing a “DARK MAGA” shirt but remained undecided, saying Graham’s foreign-policy answer left him “not sure.” Lynn Spivey, another rally attendee, said, “If Trump supports her, I do too.”
Unresolved Vote Count and Projections
The Associated Press has not declared a winner, noting that a recount would be automatic if the margin falls within 1 % of the total vote. No official projections have been released, and final tallies remain pending as early-vote results continue to be tabulated.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I asked her to do it. I got her into this whole thing,” — Donald Trump, President
- “Now the critics say I shouldn’t run for the Senate. They say I’m not a politician. You know what I say? Guilty as charged,” — Sen. Darline Graham, candidate
- “Darline Graham is the real deal,” — Sen. Tim Scott, U.S. Senator
