The two-week runoff window since the two Republicans were the top vote-getters in an Aug. 11 primary has been a slugfest.
Sen. Darline Graham Nordone (R-SC) won South Carolina’s Republican Senate special primary runoff Tuesday, defeating Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) and moving one step closer to securing a full term in the seat previously held by her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham. With 89% of the vote counted, Graham Nordone had 52.3% of the vote compared […]
Republican nominee to face Democrat Annie Andrews in midterm after rushed campaigns for Lindsey Graham’s seatReese Boyd, the chair of the Horry county Republican party marveled on Monday afternoon at how little time Senator Darline Graham and Representative Ralph Norman have had to campaign for the Senate primary: “This is not the normal way of things.”“This is something that usually lasts at least, you know, the better part of a year,” he said. “People normally spend the better part of 18 months getting ready for it. Who knows? This may be the right way to do it? Who knows.” Continue reading...
Trump-endorsed sister of Lindsey Graham now faces Democrat Annie Andrews in general election
Sen. Darline Graham, President Trump's endorsed candidate, won the Republican nomination Tuesday to fill the Senate vacancy created by her brother Lindsey Graham's death, per the AP.Why it matters: The victory underscores Trump's continued sway with Republican voters and positions Graham as the odds-on favorite to win a full term in November. Graham, 62, will be heavily favored against Democrat Annie Andrews in November. Democrats have not won a U.S. Senate election in South Carolina since 1998.Driving the news: Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman finished first and second, respectively, in the Aug. 11 primary and advanced to Tuesday's runoff after neither won the majority needed to secure the nomination outright.Graham entered the race July 20, days after Gov. Henry McMaster (R) appointed her to serve temporarily in the seat held by her late brother — her first time holding elected office.Her abbreviated primary campaign benefited from Trump's endorsement, the advantages of incumbency and one of the most recognizable names in South Carolina politics.In addition to campaigning with Graham in South Carolina on Friday, MAGA Inc. made a last-minute push for her, spending more than $827,000 on phone calls and text messages ahead of Tuesday's vote, according to FEC reports.Zoom in: Graham's statement during a runoff debate that she was "not that informed on national security," in response to a question about U.S. policy toward Taiwan, fueled questions about her readiness for the job.It also highlighted the contrast with her late brother, who for decades was a Senate leader on foreign policy and national security matters. Norman posted on X: "South Carolina deserves a Senator who UNDERSTANDS Foreign Policy. I'm a PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH supporter! No more forever wars!"The other side: Norman, 73, argued that Republican voters should judge candidates by their records, presenting himself as a proven conservative rather than a first-time candidate elevated by a famous name.A hard-line conservative, Norman is vice chair of the House Freedom Caucus.In June, Norman placed third in South Carolina's Republican gubernatorial primary, behind Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson, the state's attorney general.Between the lines: Both Graham and Norman flooded the airwaves, spending a combined total of more than $5 million on ads during the primary runoff, according to AdImpact."Stand with President Trump. Vote Darline Graham for Senate," one pro-Graham ad stated, while another accused Norman of being a "career politician.""This election is not for sale," Norman said in one ad. "South Carolina needs a proven conservative with a record of fighting for you. You shouldn't have to guess where your next senator stands. With me, you already know."
Her win in the snap primary to replace her late brother Lindsey Graham comes after President Donald Trump significantly boosted her campaign.
Graham, a political newcomer, had never held elected public office prior to being tapped to step in for her late brother, who died from an aortic dissection on July 11.