South Carolina Republicans will decide Tuesday whether Sen. Darline Graham gets the chance to serve a full term, with President Donald Trump making a final push to help her win the Republican nomination. Graham faces five-term Rep. Ralph Norman in a runoff to determine who advances to November.
Graham finished first in the Aug. 11 special primary but fell short of the 50% needed to win outright. Norman finished second, leaving voters with a choice between a senator who entered public office only weeks ago and a congressman who has represented South Carolina in Washington for nearly a decade.
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Trump puts his operation behind Graham
Graham was appointed to the Senate after the death of her brother, longtime Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, last month. Gov. Henry McMaster chose the former nonprofit executive to serve the remainder of his term, putting her in public office for the first time.
Trump traveled to Myrtle Beach on Friday to campaign with Graham, telling supporters to vote in the runoff as if his own name were on the ballot.
Federal filings show MAGA Inc., the super PAC aligned with Trump, spent more than $827,000 on calls and text messages supporting Graham between Aug. 13 and Aug. 20. It is the group’s first significant spending this year to help one of Trump’s endorsed candidates.
Norman goes after Graham’s experience
Norman has made Graham’s lack of political experience one of his central arguments against her.
During last week’s debate, Graham was asked whether the United States should defend Taiwan if China attacked the island. She acknowledged she was “not that informed on national security” and said she would consult with Trump before making that decision.
Graham later defended the answer, saying she would not pretend to have expertise she does not have and would seek advice before making national security decisions.
Norman has also criticized Graham’s support for Trump’s approach to Iran, while Graham has attacked Norman over spending bills he supported during his years in Congress.
Winner faces Annie Andrews
The winner will face Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician and former congressional candidate who won the Democratic nomination outright on Aug. 11.
The Republican nominee will start with a clear advantage in November. Trump carried South Carolina by 18 points in 2024, and Lindsey Graham won his last Senate race by more than 10 points.
Polls close at 7 p.m. ET Tuesday.
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