Darline Graham advances to GOP Senate runoff in South Carolina.
South Carolina Republicans vote Tuesday in a nine-candidate special Senate primary. No candidate is widely expected to clear the 50 percent threshold needed to avoid a runoff.
- 33 percent: Graham's share in an August 9 Quantus Insights poll of 636 likely voters.
- 22 percent: Norman's lead in an Emerson College poll of likely Republican primary voters.
- Prediction markets gave Graham roughly a 46-48 percent chance of winning the nomination.
- Trump endorsed Graham on July 17, six days after her appointment.
Why it matters: The contest is unusual for a Trump-era red-state primary: none of the leading candidates offers him a straightforward ally.
- Graham did not vote in Trump's 2024 presidential primary or the 2016 general election, per state records.
- Rep. Ralph Norman endorsed Nikki Haley over Trump in 2024; former Gov. Mark Sanford ran against Trump in the 2020 presidential primary.
How 47 sources split on this story
Where they split: The core dispute is whether Trump's backing can overcome Graham's lack of political experience and thin movement credentials against better-known rivals.
Center coverage, 17 sources: The center presents the primary as one of several competitive Tuesday contests, noting the structural uncertainty — a crowded field, polling spread, and runoff rules — without a strong verdict on Trump's influence.
Jerusalem Post1w+Darline Graham advances to runoff, vows to carry on brother Lindsey’s fight in US Senate
Newsweek1w+Annie Andrews' chances of defeating Republicans to flip South Carolina
Reuters1w+USA/Caroline du Sud Darline Graham, la soeur de Lindsey Graham, au second tour des primaires républicaines pour le Sénat
Roll Call1w+Darline Graham will face Ralph Norman in South Carolina Senate runoff
Associated Press1w+South Carolina Republicans hold primary to pick Senate replacement for the late Lindsey Graham
Bloomberg1w+Graham, Norman Head to S.C. GOP Senate Runoff, DDHQ Projects
Forbes1w+Lindsey Graham’s Sister Darline Advances To GOP Primary Runoff For His Former Seat
The Hill1w+Graham, Norman advance to runoff in South Carolina GOP primary for SenateTNDThe National Desk1w+Election Day: SC republicans head to the polls in special U.S Senate PrimaryTITimes of Israel1w+Sister of pro-Israel stalwart Lindsey Graham advances to runoff in GOP Senate primary
USA Today1w+South Carolina special election heads to runoff: See full resultsLeft coverage, 13 sources: The left frames the race as evidence that Trump's political grip is weakening, highlighting his near-failure in South Carolina's June governor's primary and the awkward voting records of his preferred candidates.
Raw Story1w+Trump's grip on crucial Senate race slips: 'I still don’t know who I’m voting for'
AlterNet1w+Trump on collision course with Republicans in bruising red state primary
CNN1w+Live results: South Carolina Senate Republican special primary
MSNBC1w+Darline Graham would carry on the worst of Lindsey Graham’s legacy
NBC News1w+Appointed Sen. Darline Graham advances to GOP Senate primary runoff in South Carolina
Political Wire1w+South Carolina Republican Senate Primary Heads to Runoff
ABC News1w+Darline Graham faces battle for her brother's seat in South Carolina senate primary
Al Jazeera1w+What to know about South Carolina’s election to replace Lindsey GrahamNYMNew York Magazine1w+The Scramble for Lindsey Graham’s Senate SeatSlaSlate1w+Want to Know Who Comes After Donald Trump? Keep an Eye on Today’s GOP Primary.
Talking Points Memo1w+Ralph Norman Doesn’t Completely Embarrass HimselfTBGThe Boston Globe1w+South Carolina Republicans hold primary to pick Senate replacement for the late Lindsey GrahamRight coverage, 17 sources: The right focuses on the competitive dynamics and polling data, treating Graham's Trump endorsement and NRSC backing as meaningful advantages while acknowledging the unsettled field.
Washington Examiner1w+Darline Graham advances to runoff in bid to replace brother in Senate
Breitbart News1w+Graham, Norman Advance to Runoff in South Carolina U.S. Senate GOP Primary
Daily Mail1w+Lindsey Graham's sister advances to runoff election in race to replace her late brother
Fox News1w+South Carolina GOP Senate showdown heads to runoff in race to succeed Lindsey Graham
Just the News1w+Darline Graham advances to runoff in SC Senate primary: AP
The Epoch Times1w+Darline Graham Advances to GOP Senate Runoff in South Carolina
The Washington Times1w+Trump-endorsed Graham advances, will face Norman for brother's Senate seat
Townhall1w+LIVE PRIMARY RESULTS: Voters in Six States Head to the Polls
New York Post1w+Lindsey Graham's sister, Darline, advances to runoff in GOP battle for late senator's SC Senate seat
NTD1w+Darline Graham, Ralph Norman Advance to GOP Senate Runoff in South Carolina
PJ Media1w+Ten Candidates Battled: Today Tells Us Who's Left in South Carolina Senate Race
RedState1w+Darline Graham, Ralph Norman Advance to South Carolina GOP Senate Primary RunoffWhat’s next: Trump held a tele-rally for Graham on Monday night before Tuesday's vote.
- A senior White House official said no dual-endorsement strategy for a runoff has been discussed.
- If a runoff occurs, will Trump endorse a second candidate as he did in June's governor's race?
- Can Graham's Washington schedule and limited campaign trail presence hurt her in a compressed race?