President Trump Supports South Carolina’s Darline Graham at Campaign Event

Trump’s Endorsement in South Carolina

On August 21, 2026, President Donald Trump visited the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in South Carolina to campaign for Sen. Darline Graham. He praised her commitment to affordability and military support. Graham is running to succeed her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 71. Trump urged South Carolina voters to support Graham in the upcoming GOP state primary.

Impact of Trump’s Endorsements

President Trump’s influence over the Republican Party and the power of his endorsements are being tested in runoff elections in South Carolina and Oklahoma. Trump supports Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina’s Republican Senate nomination runoff and former state budget secretary Mike Mazzei in Oklahoma’s gubernatorial nomination. Both face competitive contests, coinciding with a special election runoff in Georgia for a Congressional seat left vacant by Democratic Rep. David Scott’s death.

South Carolina’s Senate Contenders

In South Carolina, Darline Graham competes against Rep. Ralph Norman. They were the top candidates in a special Senate primary but none obtained a majority vote, leading to a runoff. Graham is backed by South Carolina’s Gov. Henry McMaster, who appointed her to her brother’s Senate term. She also has support from Rep. Russell Fry, Sen. Tim Scott, and other influential figures.

Rep. Ralph Norman has shown his support for President Trump during his Senate campaign, despite the President endorsing Graham. Norman has recently received backing from Mark Sanford, noted for his conservative fiscal views.

Challenges Faced by Trump-Endorsed Candidates

In the South Carolina gubernatorial race, Trump endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette for the GOP nomination, which she lost in a runoff against Attorney General Alan Wilson. Trump endorsed both Wilson and Evette before the runoff. Despite some setbacks, Trump’s endorsements continue to be significant, though they are not always decisive in determining candidate victories.

Oklahoma’s Gubernatorial Runoff

In Oklahoma, candidate Mike Mazzei competes against state Attorney General Gentner Drummond in the GOP runoff. Neither candidate won the initial June primary outright due to a crowded field. The winner is favored for general election success in the heavily Republican state.

Throughout the election cycle, Trump’s endorsement record remains influential despite some of his selections, including those in South Carolina and other states like Georgia and Iowa, facing difficulty in securing victories.