Senator Darline Graham and Representative Ralph Norman are set to conclude a 45-day campaign sprint today, 25 August 2026, in the South Carolina Senate primary runoff election. This expedited campaign follows the unexpected death of Lindsey Graham in July.
Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham's sister, was appointed by Governor Henry McMaster to serve the remainder of her brother's term. State law required a new election to replace Lindsey Graham on the November ballot, as he had already won the Republican primary.
Darline Graham, a career civil servant, surprised observers by announcing her decision to stand for a full term, with the backing of Donald Trump. She advanced to the runoff after claiming the top spot in a 10-candidate Republican field earlier this month. Norman, described as the most conservative member of the US House, has highlighted Graham's lack of legislative experience during the campaign.
The winner of today's runoff will face Annie Andrews, the Democratic candidate, in the November midterm election. Democrats have not won a statewide election in South Carolina for two decades.