Darline Graham, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, emerged victorious in the Republican primary runoff in South Carolina for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, as per projections from U.S. media. Graham, who took over the Senate seat after her brother’s passing on July 11 until the start of January, defeated Representative Ralph Norman and is now set to compete in the upcoming November election for a full six-year Senate term. President Donald Trump endorsed her campaign and provided significant financial support through his MAGA INC super PAC.
During a rally in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Trump emphasized his support for Graham, declaring, “I am on the ballot.” The 62-year-old Graham is expected to have a clear advantage over Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, in the general election, given the state’s deeply conservative tendencies. This primary election served as a test of Trump’s influence on voters leading up to the midterm elections, as he aims to prevent Democrats from gaining control of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate from the Republican party.
Despite some mixed results with his endorsements this cycle, Trump’s backing of Graham was evident with a significant financial contribution of $827,711 US from MAGA INC., as reported in the organization’s filing with the U.S. Federal Election Commission on Monday. Graham used a rally on Friday to address an earlier debate misstep where she admitted a lack of expertise in national security matters, a domain that was crucial in her brother’s Senate career.
Focusing on domestic issues like immigration policies and anti-abortion advocacy, Graham, who previously worked in roles supporting individuals with physical disabilities, aimed to connect with the voters. South Carolina, historically supportive of Trump in presidential elections, is not expected to sway the battle for Congress control. Norman, a 73-year-old real estate developer with nearly a decade of experience in the U.S. House, faced defeat in the primary runoff following an unsuccessful gubernatorial bid.
