Chicago – August 25, 2026
Darline Graham, sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, has won the Republican nomination to succeed him in the U.S. Senate after defeating Rep. Ralph Norman in Tuesday’s special GOP runoff. She won about 52.4% of the vote.
Graham, a political newcomer, was appointed temporarily to her brother’s Senate seat following his death in July. Her campaign received strong backing from President Donald Trump, who endorsed her and campaigned for her in South Carolina.
She will face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, a Charleston pediatrician, in the November general election. South Carolina remains a strong Republican state, making Graham the early favorite to retain the seat for the GOP.
The victory also highlights Trump’s continued influence among Republican voters, as his endorsement helped Graham overcome questions about her limited political experience and criticism from Norman during the campaign.
