U.S. Sen. Darline Graham won the Republican nomination to replace her late brother on South Carolina's general election ballot, notching another win for President Donald Trump after he threw his support behind the political novice.
Trump-backed Darline Graham beat Ralph Norman to win the Republican senate nomination as she looks to secure a full six-year term to replace her late brother Lindsey Graham. Meanwhile, there was a new development in the Alaska senate race that could have implications for the general election in November. NBC’s Ryan Nobles reports for TODAY.
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."
In a major win for President Trump who went all in for the political newcomer, Sen. Darline Graham beat out longtime Congressman Ralph Norman in a special election primary runoff in South Carolina.
This live blog is now closed.South Carolina chooses Darline Graham as Republican nominee for US SenateSign up for the US Breaking News emailOn Truth Social, however, the president shot down assertions that the US talks with Canada collapsed in part due a proposed trade deal that would have weakened French language protections.“I would never interfere with Canadians speaking French!” he wrote. “In fact, I have never even thought of doing such a stupid thing. This lie was made up by a weak and ineffective Prime Minister in an attempt to gain political support, which he has totally lost, from the people of Quebec.” Continue reading...
Senator Darline Graham prevailed in a Republican runoff to replace her late brother Lindsey Graham as the GOP candidate in South Carolina’s US Senate race, a victory aided by heavy support from President Donald Trump. Bloomberg's Jon Herskovitz has more. (Source: Bloomberg)
State of the Union: The late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sister will face Annie Andrews in the general election. The post Darline Graham Wins SC GOP Senate Primary appeared first on The American Conservative.