COLUMBIA, S.C. — U.S. Senator Darline Graham advanced to a Republican runoff for South Carolina’s U.S. Senate seat after leading a crowded primary on Tuesday, setting up a contest against Representative Ralph Norman on Aug. 25.
With most of the vote counted, Graham had about 33% of the vote, while Norman had roughly 24%, according to election results reported after the Aug. 11 special primary. Neither candidate secured the majority required to win the Republican nomination outright.
Graham, who was appointed to the Senate last month to complete the term of her late brother, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, is seeking a full six-year term. Governor Henry McMaster appointed her to the seat after Lindsey Graham died in July. State law provides for a special primary to select the Republican nominee for the November election.
President Donald Trump endorsed Darline Graham before the primary and urged her to seek the full term. His backing helped make the race a test of his influence among South Carolina Republicans, while Graham's opponents questioned whether her appointment and family connection to the late senator gave her an advantage.
Norman, a Republican congressman representing South Carolina, finished second and will face Graham in the runoff. Representative Russell Fry, another prominent Republican contender, finished behind the two finalists and will not advance.
Graham entered the race after initially being appointed only to serve the remainder of her brother’s term. She later announced that she would seek the full Senate term after Trump encouraged her to run.
The Republican nominee will face Democrat Annie Andrews in the Nov. 3 general election. Andrews, a pediatrician, secured the Democratic nomination earlier in the election cycle.
The Republican runoff is scheduled for Aug. 25, when Graham and Norman will compete for their party’s nomination. The winner will advance to the November general election for the Senate seat.
