Darline Graham wins senate primary in boost to Trump
President Donald Trump scored a pair of badly needed victories as his preferred candidates won Republican runoffs in South Carolina and Oklahoma, US media projected, bolstering his claim that he retains a powerful hold over the party's voters.
President Donald Trump secured two significant Republican runoff victories in South Carolina and Oklahoma, according to US media projections, strengthening his claim over the party's voters. In South Carolina, novice Senator Darline Graham, who replaced her late brother Lindsey, triumphed over veteran congressman Ralph Norman, with Trump actively campaigning for her.
Meanwhile, Trump-endorsed candidate Mike Mazzei emerged victorious in Oklahoma's Republican gubernatorial runoff against state attorney general Gentner Drummond, whom the president criticized as a "fake Republican." These wins interrupt Trump's recent struggles, as he lost ten Republican contests this election cycle, including six in the past two weeks, amid falling approval ratings.
The results also serve as a personal vindication for Trump, who had confidently declared his endorsements "stronger than ever" before the losses. Trump personally campaigned for Graham in South Carolina and conducted a telephone rally before the vote. The MAGA Inc political organization, backing Trump, spent over $827,000 on voter calls and text messages in South Carolina and more than $9 million in Oklahoma since the race began.
Trump has frequently attacked Drummond due to his opposition to a $4 billion aluminum smelter, which he claimed could harm local land and communities. Mazzei, a wealthy former state senator, publicly supported the project before Trump endorsed him.
Written by urgent.news from RTE News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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