Darline Graham wins South Carolina Republican Senate runoff with Trump endorsement

Primary runoff results

Darline Graham won the South Carolina Republican primary runoff on Tuesday, 25 August, securing the nomination for the United States Senate seat left vacant following the death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, on 11 July 2026. Projections reported by NBC showed Graham, 62, defeating Representative Ralph Norman with approximately 52% of the vote against 48%. Graham established strong margins in the coastal regions, particularly in Horry County around Myrtle Beach, whereas Norman performed best in his home base in Greenville and the Upstate region in the northwest. Lindsey Graham had represented the state after initially clashing with Trump during the 2016 presidential primaries, before becoming a close Senate ally. Graham advances to the November general election to face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, a Charleston pediatrician.

Presidential endorsement and PAC spending

President Donald Trump intervened directly in the contest after personally encouraging Graham to run to honor her late brother. Trump traveled to Myrtle Beach on Friday, 21 August, to headline a rally on Graham's behalf, where he avoided mentioning Norman by name and urged voters to turn out as if he were running himself. A political action committee supporting Trump, MAGA INC., spent $827,711 on television advertisements, text messages, and field operations to bolster Graham's campaign, based on reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. A day before the vote, Trump noted on Truth Social that it was almost impossible for a few of his endorsed candidates to win, but Graham nevertheless secured the nomination on Tuesday evening.

What I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I'm on the ballot. Just come and vote. It's so important. So just say that I'm on the ballot one more time.

Policy clashes and victory speeches

The primary campaign featured policy friction over foreign affairs, an area long associated with Lindsey Graham during his career. Norman challenged Graham after she acknowledged during a televised debate that she was not that informed on national security in response to a question concerning Taiwan. Norman posted on Facebook that South Carolina deserved a senator who understands foreign policy, though the argument failed to halt Graham's momentum. At her victory event on Tuesday night, Graham addressed her late brother before crediting Trump for her win.

I continue to miss Lindsey every day and there is still a big void in my heart. But I know he is watching us from above now, very proud of all of you in this room.

Graham directly thanked Trump during the address, stating that the victory would not have occurred without him.

Mr. President, Lindsey truly loved you and considered you one of his dearest friends. I appreciate this bond and everything you have done for our country.

National political headwinds and midterm funds

The South Carolina outcome arrives as Trump navigates national political headwinds, including a 33% approval rating recorded in a Reuters/Ipsos survey amid inflation, an escalating trade dispute with Canada, and conflict with Iran. Generic ballot polling indicates Republican congressional candidates trail Democrats by mid- to high-single digits ahead of the November midterms. While MAGA INC. has rarely deployed cash in primary contests, Trump told reporters before boarding Air Force One that he has raised approximately $850 million and intends to spend substantial sums on selected Republican candidates in competitive districts.