Darline Graham, backed by Trump, wins South Carolina GOP Senate runoff

A string of Trump-endorsed candidates had stumbled in recent weeks.

That rally is a step he has not taken for most of his preferred candidates this cycle.

That is money Republicans in battlegrounds have been waiting for.

She was unknown to the public a few weeks ago.

His experience did not win over voters.

The solar industry spent $1 million to help defeat him.

She previously worked for the state Vocational Rehabilitation Department.

With nearly all votes in, she led about 52% to 48%.

In Rock Hill, Norman said he had not prepared a concession speech and lamented Trump's involvement.

Norman has spent nearly a decade in Congress.

Her brother served in the Senate and House for more than 30 years.

She touted herself as her brother's successor and a reliable Trump vote.

Lindsey Graham served more than three decades in the Air Force and was a leading national-security voice.

She was sworn in three days later to finish his term.

An ad said she was lead sponsor of a Russia sanctions bill renamed for her brother.

She highlighted her vote to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general.

Doctors preliminarily cited a tear in the aorta from hardened arteries.

Norman, a Freedom Caucus member, initially opposed Trump's tax-and-spending bill.

Graham had Trump, McMaster, and Sen. Tim Scott in her corner.

In the runoff she won more than 26,000 Horry votes to his nearly 10,000.

Norman had Meadows, Mace, Sanford, and DeMint.

Graham beat him along the coast and around Columbia.

Trump's visit and Fry's endorsement appeared to boost her in Horry County.

The runoff divided conservatives.

Fry won Horry County in the first primary with nearly 14,000 votes.

The siblings have described being raised in a room next to the family bar and pool hall.

They were the top two in a 10-way primary two weeks earlier.

He endorsed her before she had made her candidacy official.

With McMaster, her family, and Rep. Timmons looking on, she thanked Trump.

Her policy positions had been previously unidentified.

She repeatedly pledged to support Trump's policy positions.

She often cited co-sponsorship of a voting bill that is a Trump priority.

Norman decried her outside PAC money and Trump's support.

She stumbled on a question about a U.S. interest in Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Norman entered after an unsuccessful gubernatorial primary.

He put more than $1 million of his own money in during the closing week.

He had endorsements from Rick Scott, Mike Lee, Jim DeMint, and Turning Point Action.

They met for a single hourlong runoff debate.

Norman called Taiwan a definite ally and praised Trump on China.

No Democrat has won a South Carolina Senate seat in decades.

Voter Mike Sellers backed Norman because her experience wasn't cutting it.

Lindsey Graham won in 2020 by 10 points.

Voter Robert Tropiano said Trump's backing was enough to win his vote.

Sellers was not swayed by backing her as a tribute to her brother.

The 2020 race was the most expensive in state history.

Graham won most of the rest of the state, including a resounding win around Myrtle Beach.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll found 33% approval of Trump's performance.

He faced concern over inflation, Iran, and a Canada trade war.

His ability to turn out the GOP base is key to whether Republicans hold Congress in November.

Lindsey Graham became a close Trump ally after calling him a bigot and complete idiot in 2016.

It is unclear whether Republicans will hold their slim Senate majority next year.

He became a frequent golfing companion and one of Trump's most loyal congressional supporters.

On Aug. 11 she took nearly 33% and Norman almost 25%.

She billed herself as a problem solver, critical thinker, and leader despite no elected experience.

Graham, 62, saw experience become the center of the primary.

Trump campaigned in South Carolina last week and hosted a Monday tele-rally.

He called Graham an unknown candidate.

She vowed to carry on his legacy while bringing her own approach.

Norman is a 73-year-old real-estate developer who has been in the House since 2017.

Norman touted his credentials as a conservative legislator.

South Carolina has not elected a Democratic senator since 1998.

Trump did not mention Norman by name before the runoff.

Trump won the state by 18 points in 2024.

The siblings had a close relationship.

Lindsey Graham never married or had children.

She credited parents who ran a central South Carolina bar and liquor store.

He said he recommended her as interim replacement and later called on her to run.

Sanford backed Norman, saying the stakes were too high to stay out.

Trump easily won South Carolina in each of his three elections.

She is the first woman and first HBCU graduate to represent South Carolina in the Senate.

Decision Desk HQ considers the seat likely Republican.