An article summarized by Politico:
Sen. Darline Graham defeated Rep. Ralph Norman in South Carolina’s Republican Senate primary, delivering a major victory for President Donald Trump after several of his endorsed candidates had struggled in recent weeks. Trump strongly backed Graham throughout the race, endorsing her early, continuing to support her after a shaky debate performance and appearing with her at a Myrtle Beach rally. His MAGA Inc. super PAC also spent more than $827,000 on phone calls and text messages supporting her campaign.
Graham’s victory demonstrates that Trump’s endorsement can still be a powerful force in Republican primaries, particularly when he actively campaigns for a candidate. Graham was largely unknown to voters just weeks ago and had no previous elected-office experience. She had been appointed to the Senate after the unexpected death of her brother, Lindsey Graham, and previously headed South Carolina’s Commission for the Blind. Norman, by contrast, had served nine years in Congress and was a prominent Freedom Caucus conservative.
Graham will now be the Republican nominee in November and is heavily favored to win the Senate seat in deep-red South Carolina. Norman’s experience ultimately wasn’t enough to overcome Trump’s backing of Graham, while his campaign also faced opposition from the solar industry, which spent about $1 million against him. The result gives Trump a high-profile win and reinforces his influence over the Republican Party heading into the 2026 elections.
