Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, has won the South Carolina Republican Senate runoff, defeating Rep. Ralph Norman with 53 percent of the vote to 47 percent, according to Decision Desk and NBC News. The victory on Tuesday delivered a major win for President Donald Trump, who had personally urged her to run for the full term.
Graham Nordone, who was appointed to fill the remainder of her brother’s term after his death, now advances to the November general election to face Democrat Annie Andrews. The race for the full six-year term will determine who represents the Palmetto State in the Senate.
Trump’s Full-Throated Endorsement
President Trump threw his complete support behind Graham Nordone, rallying with her in Myrtle Beach the Friday before the runoff. At that rally, he told thousands of voters that he had personally asked her to run for the full term and urged them to back her on Election Day.
In July, Trump took to Truth Social to praise Graham Nordone, writing: “Lindsey was one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, and his sister shares his deep love of our Country, and the State of South Carolina. During her visit, I asked Darline, for the Good of our Nation, to run for the U.S. Senate.”
He also said that Graham Nordone would “never” let the people of South Carolina down—a sentiment reinforced by her brother’s legacy as a senator who championed the state and the nation.
Backing from State Leaders and a Storm of Ads
Beyond Trump, Graham Nordone enjoyed the support of senior South Carolina elected officials, including two-term Gov. Henry McMaster and Sen. Tim Scott. The breadth of establishment support helped her navigate a competitive runoff in a state where GOP primaries can be unpredictable.
Norman, a congressman known for his conservative credentials, faced a punishing two-week sprint to the runoff. According to reports, over $5 million in negative ads battered him from outside groups, including $1 million from the Democrat-aligned green energy PAC, Invest in Tomorrow Coalition. The onslaught likely played a significant role in the outcome, limiting Norman’s ability to counter Graham Nordone’s momentum.
Debate Misstep and Voter Perception
Graham Nordone’s path was not without hurdles. In the only debate of the runoff, she drew criticism for responding to a question about Taiwan and the South China Sea by saying she was “not that informed on national security.” Some voters, however, later defended the answer as an authentic moment from a candidate who had not long planned a run for elective office—contrasting her with a career politician’s practiced talking points.
That authenticity, combined with the Trump endorsement and heavy outside spending, proved enough to secure the nomination. Graham Nordone now pivots to a general election battle against Annie Andrews, a Democrat seen as far-left by conservative observers in the state. Given South Carolina’s recent electoral history, Graham Nordone enters the fall campaign as a strong favorite, though Andrews could attempt to capitalize on Democratic enthusiasm in a midterm-like environment.
Looking Ahead to November
With the primary behind her, Graham Nordone must now unify the party and prepare for the general election. The seat holds national significance, as control of the Senate remains hotly contested. Trump’s involvement is likely to continue, with the president expected to campaign on her behalf in the general election as he has for other favored candidates.
For Norman, the loss ends a bid that could have elevated him to the Senate, but he leaves the race having tested the power of outside money in a Republican primary. The race also demonstrated the continued influence of Trump’s endorsement in Republican contests, a factor that could shape future primaries across the country.
As South Carolina voters head to the polls in November, they will choose between Graham Nordone’s promise to continue her brother’s legacy and Andrews’ progressive platform—a clear ideological contrast that will draw national attention.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/08/25/trump-backed-darline-graham-wins-south-carolina-republican-senate-runoff/