Darline Graham, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, emerged victorious in the Republican primary runoff for U.S. Senate in South Carolina on Tuesday, as per projections from U.S. media outlets. This win, seen as a success for President Donald Trump, comes after Graham was appointed to fulfill her brother’s Senate term until January following his passing on July 11. Graham defeated Representative Ralph Norman and is now set to contest the upcoming November election for a full six-year Senate tenure.
President Trump showed his support for Graham by endorsing her campaign and providing substantial financial backing through his MAGA INC super PAC. During a rally in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Trump emphasized his backing by stating, “I am on the ballot.”
In the general election, Graham, aged 62, will face off against Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, a pediatrician. Given South Carolina’s strong conservative leanings, Graham is anticipated to secure a comfortable victory in the state.
This primary election serves as a test of Trump’s influence on voters ahead of the midterm elections, as he aims to prevent Democrats from gaining control of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate from the Republican Party. Despite his efforts, recent polls indicate that Trump is facing challenges due to economic concerns and military actions, particularly with Iran.
Notably, Trump’s MAGA INC. invested $827,711 US in supporting Graham, marking a rare instance of the president directly providing financial aid to a preferred candidate.
Following a debated misstep where she admitted lacking knowledge on national security issues—a domain pivotal to her brother’s Senate legacy—Graham used the Friday rally to address this setback. She acknowledged the error, focusing her discourse on domestic matters such as immigration policies and anti-abortion advocacy.
Having no prior experience in public office before her Senate appointment, Graham mainly worked in advocating for individuals with physical disabilities. South Carolina’s strong support for Trump throughout his presidential campaigns suggests that it is unlikely to significantly impact the battle for congressional control.
Norman, a 73-year-old real estate developer who had served nearly a decade in the U.S. House, faced defeat in this election following an unsuccessful gubernatorial bid.