Darline Graham advances to runoff in South Carolina GOP Senate primary

Sen. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman will face off in a runoff later this month in South Carolina's special Republican primary for Senate, according to CBS News projections. This runoff will be held on August 25 if neither candidate secures over 50% of the vote in the initial primary. The primary election saw ten candidates compete for the Republican nomination to succeed late Senator Lindsey Graham.

After Graham's sudden death in July, his sister, Darline Graham, was appointed to serve out the remainder of his term. However, Republicans needed a new candidate on the ballot due to Lindsey Graham's re-election bid and gaining the nomination earlier that June. Both Darline Graham, 62, and Rep. Ralph Norman, 54, have backgrounds in public service.

Graham previously served as commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, while Norman represented South Carolina in the House since 2017. Other candidates in the race include Rep. Russell Fry, former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, and businessman Mark Lynch. The runoff will determine the final nominee for the November election against Democrat Annie Andrews, where Republicans are expected to maintain a strong lead.

Lindsey Graham won his last reelection with 54% in 2020, while former President Trump received 58% in 2024.