South Carolina Republicans Pick Graham's Senate Successor.
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 22 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, 10 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.
Associated Press7hSouth Carolina Republicans hold primary to pick Senate replacement for the late Lindsey Graham
Roll Call16h10 candidates vie to replace Lindsey Graham in South CarolinaTNDThe National Desk24mElection Day: SC republicans head to the polls in special U.S Senate Primary
Forbes14hWhat We Know About Darline Graham’s Political Views Ahead Of Tuesday’s Primary
Jerusalem Post5hSouth Carolina’s Republican Senate nominee likely to be pro-Israel, but no match for Lindsey Graham
Newsweek19hDarline Graham's chances of losing GOP primary for brother's Senate seat
Reuters55mSouth Carolina Republicans vote if Lindsey Graham's sister should inherit Senate bid
Semafor3hGraham tries to hang on to her late brother’s Senate seatTITimes of Israel3hSouth Carolina’s GOP Senate nominee will likely be pro-Israel, but no Lindsey GrahamLeft coverage, 9 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 Story1dTrump's grip on crucial Senate race slips: 'I still don’t know who I’m voting for'
AlterNet20hTrump on collision course with Republicans in bruising red state primary
ABC News2hDarline Graham faces battle for her brother's seat in South Carolina senate primary
MSNBC2hDarline Graham tries to escape her brother’s shadow — and carry on his name
NBC News1dDarline Graham’s primary challenge and Trump shifts to ‘low-keying’ it with Iran: Morning Rundown
Political Wire1dA Twist in the Race for Lindsey Graham’s SeatSlaSlate2hWant to Know Who Comes After Donald Trump? Keep an Eye on Today’s GOP Primary.TBGThe Boston Globe7hSouth Carolina Republicans hold primary to pick Senate replacement for the late Lindsey Graham
The New Yorker1hSouth Carolina Primary-Election Map: Live ResultsRight coverage, 3 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.
What’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?