RESULTS: Trump-Endorsed Candidate Wins South Carolina Senate Runoff.

South Carolina Republicans choose Tuesday between Rep. Ralph Norman and appointed Sen. Darline Graham in a Senate special election runoff. Trump endorsed Graham; Norman has the support of former Gov. Nikki Haley and the House Freedom Caucus.

• 32.8% of primary votes went to Graham; Norman finished second at 24.6%.
• 10 other Trump-endorsed primary candidates have lost in 2026, per Ballotpedia.
• Trump's endorsed candidates win 96% of 2026 primaries, according to Ballotpedia.
• Norman lost the South Carolina gubernatorial primary earlier this summer, finishing third.

Why it matters: The seat, reliably Republican since Fritz Hollings retired in 1998, is not considered at serious risk in November regardless of who wins Tuesday.

• Graham's debate moment — saying 'national security is not my thing' — handed Norman an opening to question her readiness for a role Lindsey Graham defined by foreign policy.
• Norman's 2021 text urging then-Chief of Staff Mark Meadows to invoke what he called 'Marshall Law' and block Biden's certification remains a liability his opponents can raise.

How 73 sources split on this story

Where they split: The core dispute is whether Graham's appointment-and-loyalty path outweighs Norman's legislative experience — or whether her debate stumbles disqualify her regardless of Trump's backing.

What’s next: The winner faces Democrat Annie Andrews and Libertarian Kasie Whitener on Nov. 3.

• Senate majority control — currently 53 Republican seats — could hinge on roughly a dozen competitive races nationwide.
• Will Norman's 2024 Haley endorsement cost him enough Trump-aligned voters to tip the runoff to Graham?
• If Norman wins, does it signal Republican primary voters will override Trump's pick when a candidate stumbles badly enough?