Darline Graham wins South Carolina GOP Senate runoff

Sen.

Darline Graham , President Trump's endorsed candidate, won the Republican nomination Tuesday to fill the Senate vacancy created by her brother Lindsey Graham 's death, per the AP.

Why it matters: The victory underscores Trump's continued sway with Republican voters and positions Graham as the odds-on favorite to win a full term in November.

Graham, 62, will be heavily favored against Democrat Annie Andrews in November .

Democrats have not won a U.S.

Senate election in South Carolina since 1998.

Driving the news : Graham and Rep.

Ralph Norman finished first and second , respectively, in the Aug.

11 primary and advanced to Tuesday's runoff after neither won the majority needed to secure the nomination outright.

Graham entered the race July 20, days after Gov.

Henry McMaster (R) appointed her to serve temporarily in the seat held by her late brother — her first time holding elected office.

Her abbreviated primary campaign benefited from Trump's endorsement, the advantages of incumbency and one of the most recognizable names in South Carolina politics.

In addition to campaigning with Graham in South Carolina on Friday, MAGA Inc. made a last-minute push for her, spending more than $827,000 on phone calls and text messages ahead of Tuesday's vote, according to FEC reports.

Zoom in: Graham's statement during a runoff debate that she was "not that informed on national security," in response to a question about U.S. policy toward Taiwan, fueled questions about her readiness for the job.