Darline Graham Advances To The Runoff In GOP Primary For Her Brother Lindsey’s Senate Seat

Aug 12, 2026 10:45 AM - 1 hour ago 3

Topline

Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., precocious to the runoff successful the typical Republican superior for the Senate spot connected Tuesday night, arsenic she attempts to unafraid a afloat word arsenic legislator aft being appointed to service the remainder of her relative Lindsey Graham’s word pursuing his abrupt and unexpected decease past month.

Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., speaks to reporters aft advancing to a typical GOP Senate superior runoff to switch Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., connected Tuesday.

Key Facts

The Associated Press partly called the title astatine 8:15 p.m. ET, noting that Graham was advancing to the runoffs and later called that she will beryllium joined successful the runoffs by Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C.

With 99% of the votes counted, Graham topped the count pinch 32.7% of the votes, while Norman received 24.6%.

The runoff is scheduled to return spot connected August 25.’

Graham, who is moving successful a awesome governmental title for the first time, thanked President Donald Trump for his “steadfast support and his complete and full endorsement,” successful a reside aft the title was called.

Despite being a governmental newcomer, Graham touted the transition of the Russia sanctions measure successful the Senate and said that immoderate politicians “never get a awesome portion of their authorities passed, truthful I've already accomplished much successful a fewer weeks.”

What To Watch For

During her reside connected Tuesday night, Graham appeared to return a changeable astatine her rival Norman arsenic she outlined her scheme for the adjacent 2 weeks and said: “I will walk the adjacent 2 weeks of this runoff gathering pinch voters and, dissimilar immoderate politicians, listening to their concerns.” When a newsman asked her if she hoped Trump would run for her, Graham said: “I'm hopeful that President Trump will travel down, but we'll see.”

Tangent

Norman, who is simply a elder personnel of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, said he was excited to return different 2 weeks and get his connection retired each complete the state. He besides said he hopes to return connected Graham successful arsenic galore debates arsenic imaginable up of the runoff predetermination later this month. When Graham was asked astir taking connected Norman successful a debate, she said: “I’ll beryllium consenting to statement him.”