On August 26, 2026, Senator Darline Graham won the Republican runoff against Representative Ralph Norman to become the GOP nominee for the late Lindsey Graham's U.S. Senate seat, scheduled for the November 3 general election. Trump backed Graham, who will face Democrat Annie Andrews.
Ultraconservative U.S. congressman Ralph Norman faced a campaign battle on August 24, 2026, with President Trump's opposition, betting that voters would reward his independent streak and experience despite his past disagreements with the president on spending. Norman's candidacy hinged on voters prioritizing his contrarian record over Trump's endorsement of rivals.
Between August 23-24, 2026, Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) defended fellow South Carolina Republican Darline Graham following her debate slip-up where she said 'national security is not my thing.' Scott expressed confidence Graham would win her GOP primary runoff despite the comment raising concerns about her qualifications.
President Trump campaigned in South Carolina on August 21, 2026, supporting Sen. Darline Graham ahead of the state's Republican Senate runoff on August 27. Graham won with 52 percent of the vote, prompting Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha to question the strength of Trump's endorsement on August 27.
On August 20–21, 2026, President Donald Trump campaigned for Senator Darline Graham ahead of a special Senate runoff election in South Carolina, backing her over challenger Representative Ralph Norman. Trump's endorsement of Graham, who is vying to replace her late brother Lindsey Graham, tests Trump's electoral influence as Norman questioned the endorsement's strategic merit.
Senator Darline Graham, appointed to succeed her late brother Lindsey Graham, faced criticism over national security knowledge during her August 19 debate against Representative Ralph Norman in the GOP primary runoff. By August 22, President Trump campaigned for her and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster endorsed her candidacy.
On August 21, President Donald Trump campaigned in South Carolina for Darline Graham, a political newcomer, in her runoff race for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination. The cluster shows Trump's endorsement of Graham's unexpected Senate bid to six-year term.