Runoff Candidates Emerge in South Carolina Senate Race
Recent reports from NBC News and Decision Desk indicate that Sen. Darling Graham Nordone and Rep. Ralph Norman have moved on to a runoff for the Senate seat previously held by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. This runoff will take place during the general election in November.
Leading up to the Tuesday primary, polls suggested that Graham Nordone was poised to win a plurality, while Norman was vying for second place against Congressman Russell Frye.
In the final election results, Mr. Graham Nordone secured approximately 33% of the vote, surpassing Mr. Norman, who received around 24%—a margin of about 9%.
President Donald Trump has shown his support for Graham Nordone, the sister of the late Sen. Graham, encouraging her to pursue a full term following her appointment by Governor Henry McMaster. Trump stated, “Lindsay is one of the greatest men and senators I have ever known, and his sister shares his deep love for our country and the state of South Carolina. During her visit, I asked Darling to serve our country and run for the United States Senate in the Republican special primary on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.”
Two super PACs—Palmetto Action and Security is Strength PAC—invested over $1.2 million to support Graham Nordone, while the expenditures backing Norman were significantly lower, under $50,000.
Norman, who plans to retire at the end of his congressional term, previously ran for governor but finished third in the June primary. In his current Senate campaign, he has garnered support from prominent figures like Florida Sen. Rick Scott, Utah Sen. Mike Lee, and fellow retiring Rep. Nancy Mace.
In his campaign announcement, Norman emphasized his long-standing commitment to the state, saying, “I’ve been fighting for the Palmetto State for years in the statehouse and Congress, and now I want to get the SAVE America Act passed in the Senate!”
Alan Wilson, a Republican candidate for governor, called on primary voters to come together. He remarked, “The Republican approach may be a little different, but we all agree that a conservative perspective that puts families first and protects freedom is a better option than what the left is offering.” Wilson teamed up with the South Carolina Republican Party to organize events for candidates throughout the state.
The winner of the runoff scheduled for August 25 will face Democrat Annie Andrews, who has been characterized as far-left, in the upcoming November election.
