Full Breakdown
Trump's Endorsements Face Runoff Tests in Oklahoma and South Carolina
8/25/2026, 9:06:46 PM
Core Event
On August 25 the Republican primaries in two deep-red states will decide which Trump-backed candidates advance to the November general election. In Oklahoma, businessman Mike Mazzei and Attorney General Gentner Drummond will contest the gubernatorial runoff. In South Carolina, Senator Darline Graham and Representative Ralph Norman will vie for the Senate nomination left vacant by the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham. Both races feature President Donald Trump’s explicit endorsements and his personal campaigning.
Background & Context
President Trump has long leveraged endorsements to shape GOP primaries, boasting a near-perfect success rate in 2026. Recent defeats of Trump-backed candidates have prompted observers to view these runoffs as a barometer of his remaining sway. In Oklahoma, Trump first endorsed Mazzei in May and called Drummond a “FAKE Republican.” In South Carolina, Trump traveled to Myrtle Beach on August 21, held a tele-rally, and urged voters to “pretend” he is on the ballot, framing Graham’s victory as essential to preserving his agenda.
Timeline
- June 9 – Lindsey Graham wins the South Carolina Republican primary for his Senate seat.
- June 16 – Oklahoma primary: Drummond leads Mazzei by roughly 1,100 votes out of 403,000 cast; each receives about 26 percent.
- July 11 – Senator Lindsey Graham dies.
- July 13 – Gov. Henry McMaster appoints his sister, Darline Graham, to the vacant Senate seat.
- August 11 – Primary to select the top two candidates for the South Carolina runoff.
- August 21 – Trump rallies in South Carolina for Graham.
- August 24 – Mazzei and Drummond hold competing rallies; Gov. Stitt backs Mazzei.
- August 25 – Runoff elections in both states.
Official Statements & Responses
Trump framed both Mazzei and Graham as the “only” viable conservatives, urging voters to treat his endorsement as a proxy ballot. Gov. Kevin Stitt now supports Mazzei, calling him “smart” and “pro-business.” Drummond, in a KOCO-TV interview, described the Stitt administration as eight years of “mediocrity and flipping.” Graham, after her debate, acknowledged the gaffe, saying she was “honest” about lacking expertise in national security. Norman has portrayed Graham as inexperienced, arguing that her answer showed a “lack of qualifications.”
Criticism & Opposition
Drummond alleged Mazzei’s endorsement was tied to a consulting firm run by Roger Stone, noting a $67,500 payment from Mazzei’s campaign. Norman and his allies have highlighted Graham’s debate slip, with former Gov. Nikki Haley stating that Graham “does not inherit” her brother’s national-security expertise.
On-the-Ground Reports
Local Republican voter Robert Tropiano said Trump’s endorsement alone convinced him to support Graham. In Oklahoma, political-science professor Seth McKee noted that the state GOP committee’s endorsement of Mazzei signals alignment with the party’s conservative base, while Drummond framed the endorsement as an attempt by “political elites” to control the race.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Polling for both runoffs is sparse. Experts differ on expected turnout: Furman University’s Danielle Vinson warned that “some people may just stay home,” while Winthrop University’s Scott Huffmon said the lack of reliable voter-behavior data leaves the margin of victory uncertain.
What’s Next
The winners of the August 25 runoffs will face Democratic opponents in November: Mazzei will meet House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson for Oklahoma’s governorship, while Graham will challenge physician Annie Andrews for South Carolina’s Senate seat. Their outcomes will further illuminate the current potency of Trump’s endorsement power within the Republican Party.
