Darline Graham won the Republican Senate primary runoff in South Carolina on Tuesday, August 26, 2026, defeating Ralph Norman and seven other candidates. Neither Graham nor Norman had secured a majority in the August 11 special primary, leading to the runoff, according to The Associated Press.

Graham was appointed by Governor Henry McMaster to fill the seat after the passing of her brother, former Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who died on July 11, 2026. President Donald Trump endorsed Darline Graham and encouraged her to serve a full term. Graham held a tele-rally with Trump on Monday, stating that because he "got her into this whole thing, I have to make sure she gets in."

Despite her victory, some grassroots Republicans expressed frustration with Graham's policies and governing style. Jay Kilmartin noted this dissatisfaction among the base. Additionally, Graham faced criticism for not answering a question from Newsmax host Greta Van Susteren regarding China’s threat to Taiwan and the South China Sea.

In related political commentary, it was noted that Lindsey Graham had previously called for the assassination of Russian President Vladimir Putin at the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, supported the Iran war, and praised U.S. financial aid to Ukraine as "the best money [the U.S. has] ever spent," according to a May 2023 statement.

Sources