Runoff Election Set in South Carolina Republican Senate Primary

Appointed Senator Darline Graham and Representative Ralph Norman have advanced to a runoff election in the Republican Senate primary in South Carolina. This follows an inability for any candidate to secure more than 50% of the vote. The Associated Press reports that the primary comes as a race to succeed the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away at age 71. The runoff election is scheduled to occur in two weeks.

Graham, the younger sister of the late senator, received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. South Carolina’s Governor, Henry McMaster, appointed her to fill her brother’s Senate seat temporarily. Graham is campaigning on a platform that supports the former president’s agenda.

Rep. Ralph Norman, a Trump ally and House representative, is competing against Graham. Norman previously unsuccessfully sought the GOP gubernatorial nomination. Both Norman and another Trump supporter, Rep. Russell Fry, highlighted their ties to Trump during their Senate campaigns. Fry is a two-term congressman.

Notably, former Governor and Representative Mark Sanford, known for his fiscally conservative views, also ran in the primary. Sanford cited the nation’s growing debt as a major motivator for his candidacy. Businessman Mark Lynch, who was defeated by Lindsey Graham by nearly 30 points in the June primary, also featured in the crowded field of contenders.

The Trump endorsement has shown varying levels of impact in the state’s political contests. For instance, Trump-backed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette led the primary voting for the GOP gubernatorial nomination but was defeated in the runoff by Attorney General Alan Wilson. Trump subsequently endorsed Wilson before the runoff.

The winner of the forthcoming Senate runoff election will likely be favored in the midterms against Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, a pediatrician.