Political newcomer Darline Graham wins South Carolina’s GOP Senate runoff

Her victory proves that Trump’s backing is still a decisive force in Republican politics when he chooses to give his candidate of choice unwavering and active support.

Graham will replace her late brother, Lindsey Graham, on the ballot in November as the Republican nominee. She is all but guaranteed election to a full Senate term in deep red South Carolina.

Trump’s loyal backing proved crucial for Graham in the two-week runoff sprint, after a debate stage fumble on foreign policy led Norman and his allies to attack her for her political inexperience. The president’s appearance alongside Graham at a rally in the final days of the race allowed her to close out the primary by reiterating her close ties to Trump.

Graham’s win is a remarkable coup for a figure who was unknown to the public just a few weeks ago. She had no prior experience in elected office until she was appointed to the Senate by GOP Gov. Henry McMaster after her brother Lindsey died unexpectedly in July. Since 2019, she has led South Carolina’s Commission for the Blind and had previously worked for the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department.

Norman, meanwhile, is a Freedom Caucus stalwart who’s served nine years in Congress and clashed with Trump occasionally over spending — though he’s largely backed the president’s agenda.

In the end, his experience didn’t win over voters, and he also saw backlash from the solar industry, which spent $1 million to help defeat him.