Darline Graham wins GOP runoff to replace brother on South Carolina ballot: AP

Sen. Darline Graham -- a political newcomer appointed to the seat held by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham -- will win a special GOP primary runoff to replace her brother on the South Carolina ballot, the Associated Press projected Tuesday.

Graham, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, defeated Rep. Ralph Norman, a staunch conservative and member of the hard line Freedom Caucus, who had also advanced to the runoff, following South Carolina's primary earlier this month.

Graham framed her outsider status as an asset, while pointing to Trump's support as one of the key reasons conservatives should support her bid for a full term. Trump threw more than just a social media endorsement behind her: he flew to Myrtle Beach for a rally on Friday, in one of his first major campaign stops during the 2026 midterms.

"Now, the critics say I shouldn't run for the Senate. They say I'm not a politician. You know what I say? Guilty as charged," Graham said during the rally to cheers. "And by the way, President Trump had never served in an elected office before, and I think he's done a damn good job."

Trump, later on, effusively praised Graham, saying "she only knows how to put America first."

Norman, meanwhile, said that his experience is his "resume" and that conservatives in the Palmetto State could trust him more than a relative unknown like Graham.

"The establishment has already picked their candidate. Same old playbook, same old insiders. I'm not their choice. And this election is not for sale," he said in a campaign ad.

He also questioned why Trump has gotten involved in the race in GOP-favoring South Carolina instead of focusing on ones where the GOP faces an uphill battle against Democrats. The White House, asked about some of Norman's comments about Trump, pointed to Trump's previous social media posts where he endorsed Graham.

Graham, on her end, faced scrutiny from many fellow Republicans over her lack of political experience and occasional missteps on the trail.

During a one-on-one debate she had with Norman last Tuesday, she was asked if Taiwan and the South China Sea are national security issues for the United States. She answered , "I'm not that informed on national security. But I do support the military ... I'm not a polished politician up here. National security is not my thing, not my area of expertise, but I do support the military."

The comment, which contrasted with her brother's major focus on national security, sparked criticism from Norman's allies, including former Gov. Nikki Haley.

"Lindsey Graham was well informed on the United States' national security. Darline Graham admits she's not. This is not something you inherit. And it's critical in the U.S. Senate," Haley wrote on X last week.

Norman, in an interview with local outlet WHNS posted on Thursday , called Graham's answer "surprising" and hammered her for her lack of experience:. "There's no more important issue than national security ...