South Carolina’s Senate race tests Trump — again
The president’s initial pick for governor didn’t win. Can Darline Graham?
A special Senate primary in South Carolina is unfolding much like the state's contentious gubernatorial race last June. The contest is being driven by the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, who has died unexpectedly, and his sister Darline's bid to replace him. Early in the race, Darline Graham has emerged as the front-runner, garnering support from President Donald Trump, who has made a few public endorsements.
However, three other Republican candidates - Russell Fry, Ralph Norman, and former Governor Mark Sanford - are also in the race, along with businessman Mark Lynch. This crowded field makes a runoff election highly likely, where late surges could further complicate the outcome. Graham's campaign strategy appears to be focused on her domestic issues, contrasting with her brother's foreign policy legacy.
She is also relying on her inherited campaign infrastructure, which was successful under her late brother's leadership. If Trump's support alone doesn't secure the nomination, the race could mirror the challenging runoff in the gubernatorial primary, where Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette nearly lost despite having the president's backing.
Written by urgent.news from POLITICO's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
