Darline Graham’s narrow win in South Carolina shows Trump’s endorsement still matters

Darline Graham Wins South Carolina Republican Senate Primary with Trump Endorsement

Darline Graham defeated Representative Ralph Norman in the Republican primary runoff for the U.S. Senate seat in South Carolina on Tuesday. With 99 percent of the vote counted, Graham received 52.5 percent to Norman’s 47.6 percent, according to The Associated Press. The contest followed the death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, last month. She will complete the remainder of his term and seek a full six-year term.

During a debate with Norman, Graham was asked about U.S. policy toward the South China Sea and Taiwan. She responded that she was “not that informed on national security.” Her brother had been a frequent critic of China and had visited Ukraine shortly before his death. President Donald Trump had endorsed Graham over other potential candidates and campaigned with her in Myrtle Beach the previous Friday. The super PAC MAGA Inc., which is affiliated with Trump, also spent funds in support of her campaign.

Trump posted on Truth Social earlier in the week that his endorsements remained strong and that “good people are getting elected who never had the chance.” Graham’s victory occurred after several recent instances in which candidates backed by Trump did not win their primaries or general elections.

In the 2018 midterm cycle, Trump endorsed Ron DeSantis for governor of Florida and Brian Kemp for governor of Georgia; both won. In 2022, his endorsement of JD Vance preceded Vance’s victory in the Ohio Senate race. Trump also endorsed Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania, Herschel Walker in Georgia, and Blake Masters in Arizona; Oz and Walker won their nominations, while Masters did not win the general election.

More recent results have been mixed. Trump endorsed Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones in the Georgia gubernatorial race; Jones lost to Rick Jackson. He endorsed Representative Randy Feenstra in the Iowa gubernatorial primary; Feenstra lost to Zach Lahn. In South Carolina’s gubernatorial primary, Trump first endorsed Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, then also endorsed Attorney General Alan Wilson before the runoff. Mike Lindell lost the Minnesota gubernatorial primary, and Megan Degenfelder lost the Wyoming gubernatorial primary. Representative Andy Ogles lost his primary in Tennessee’s 5th congressional district. Catalina Lauf finished second in Florida’s 19th congressional district. Representative Cory Mills lost his primary while facing a House Ethics Committee investigation into campaign finance, congressional resources, and separate allegations; Trump later stated he had advised Mills to exit the race.

The Associated Press, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and NBC News each described Graham’s win as a reversal of Trump’s recent primary results and as an indication that his endorsement continues to carry weight in Republican contests. Trump has held fewer campaign events for congressional candidates in the current cycle than during the 2018 midterms. He has appeared in Georgia and Michigan. MAGA Inc. holds roughly $400 million in cash on hand. In Texas, Trump endorsed Attorney General Ken Paxton, who remains the party’s nominee for Senate.

Trump has participated in events related to Washington monuments and construction projects and has addressed developments involving Iran. His public schedule has included fewer stops in competitive congressional districts than in prior cycles.

Graham will face the Democratic nominee in November.