Despite a last-minute drop in the polls and questions about her qualifications, the sister of late Sen. Lindsey Graham fended off her challenger in South Carolina’s Republican Senate runoff, likely ensuring she’ll win a six-year term in November to succeed her brother.
Sen. Darline Graham was the projected winner over five-term GOP Rep. Ralph Norman, leading by four percentage points with more than 98% of the vote tallied.
In her victory speech Tuesday evening, Ms. Graham said she misses her brother and there is “still a big hole in my heart.”
“I know he’s looking down right now — very proud of everyone in this room,” she said.
Her victory came with the help of President Trump, who enthusiastically endorsed her and hosted a get-out-the-vote rally in Myrtle Beach on Friday.
In her speech, Ms. Graham also thanked Mr. Trump and said “our victory would not have been possible without you” and called the state “truly Trump country.”
Ms. Graham is already on the job.
She was appointed last month by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster to fill the remaining five months of her brother’s fourth term. Graham, a close Trump ally, died suddenly on July 11 of an aortic dissection suffered at his Capitol Hill home.
Ms. Graham surprised many, including Mr. McMaster, by announcing her plan to run for the full six-year term. Mr. Trump urged her on, posting on social media in all capital letters, “run Darline, run.”
Ms. Graham pulled off the win after both internal and public polls showed her losing support.
A Trafalgar Group poll released last Monday showed Ms. Graham tied with Mr. Norman, indicating a drop from previous polling that had her at least 10 points ahead of Mr. Norman and a pack of other candidates.
Mr. Norman ran as an experienced conservative and had the endorsement of CPAC, Turning Point USA and dozens of the state’s conservative leaders.
On the campaign trail, Mr. Norman framed Ms. Graham as inexperienced for a Senate seat not meant for “training on the job.”
Ms. Graham and Mr. Norman finished first and second, respectively, in the Aug. 11 primary but neither garnered 50% of the vote, triggering Tuesday’s runoff.
The race marks the second statewide defeat this summer for Mr. Norman. He failed to make the runoff after the state’s Republican gubernatorial primary in June.
The president’s endorsement undoubtedly boosted Ms. Graham’s chances, along with a last-minute, $830,000 cash infusion to her campaign by MAGA Inc. Mr. Trump’s super PAC, which has given comparatively little to other GOP congressional candidates this election cycle.
Mr. Trump won the state by 18 points in 2024 and Ms. Graham’s victory demonstrates the president’s enduring influence among his base, even as his national approval rating has sunk to percentages in the low 30s.
In the days leading up to Tuesday’s runoff, Ms. Graham faced criticism and questions about her qualifications after she told moderators at a debate with Mr. Norman that she was “not that informed on national security,” when asked a question about China and Taiwan.
Ms. Graham, 62, had never previously held public office. The married mother of two, who is also a grandmother, has largely lived out of the public eye. She spent her career helping people with disabilities and most recently served as the commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind.
Ms. Graham later defended her debate answer, saying South Carolinians are far more focused on affordability issues than China and Taiwan. Mr. Trump said Ms. Graham was “being honest,” with her answer and focusing on affordability.
She’ll face Democrat Annie Andrews on the November ballot in what is rated by political analysts as a race solidly favoring the GOP. No Democrat has been elected to any statewide office in South Carolina in two decades.
The winner will become the first woman from South Carolina to serve in the U.S. Senate.
Because Lindsey Graham died outside a 100-day special election window, the winner in November will serve a full, six-year term.
