South Carolina Republicans choose Senate nominee in special runoff election

South Carolina held a Republican runoff election on August 25 to choose a Senate candidate for 2026. The two candidates were Darline Graham and Ralph Norman. Graham is a political newcomer. She was appointed to the Senate after her brother, longtime Senator Lindsey Graham, died in July. Norman has served in the House of Representatives for nine years. Graham finished first in the August 11 primary with about 33 percent of the vote. Norman received around 25 percent. President Trump, Senator Tim Scott, and Representative Russell Fry all endorsed Graham. However, she faced criticism after saying "I'm not that informed on national security" during a debate. The winner will face Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician from Charleston, in the general election. Analysts rate that race as solidly Republican.