Darline Graham’s Senate Runoff Win Over Norman Highlights Trump’s Endorsement Power in South Carolina

Senator Darline Graham secured the Republican Senate nomination in South Carolina on Tuesday, leveraging President Trump’s significant political support to compensate for her limited experience as a first-time political candidate.

Ms. Graham defeated Representative Ralph Norman, who has served five terms in Congress, in the reliably Republican state. Mr. Trump invested more effort into supporting her than any other Republican candidate this year, reportedly out of personal regard for her late brother, Lindsey Graham, who passed away last month.

Her victory underscores the president’s enduring ability to shape Republican primary outcomes, particularly when he commits fully to a contest. While his endorsed candidates achieved success in several key spring primaries, some have since stumbled, casting doubt on the potency of his backing. His ability to elevate Ms. Graham, who appeared poised to claim a six-year Senate term despite being relatively unknown just six weeks ago, may have temporarily resolved those concerns.

Trump’s preferred candidate also emerged victorious in Oklahoma’s Republican gubernatorial primary, where Mike Mazzei, a former state legislator, narrowly defeated Gentner Drummond, the state’s attorney general. Mr. Mazzei’s lead was less than half a percentage point when the Associated Press projected the result.

Below are six key observations from Tuesday’s primary contests:

Trump’s Influence Faced a Critical Test in South Carolina — and He Delivered

Mr. Trump carried South Carolina by over 18 percentage points in the 2024 election. However, two of his endorsed candidates have lost in the state over the past six months.

Ms. Graham appeared at risk of joining the small number of Trump-supported Senate candidates to lose primaries since 2017. She encountered difficulties introducing herself to voters during the compressed campaign and stumbled during a debate response on national security matters.

Nevertheless, on the campaign trail, she noted that voters raised domestic concerns rather than foreign policy questions. She built her campaign around mutual support with Mr. Trump. In the November general election, she will face Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician and the Democratic nominee, with Ms. Graham considered the strong favorite.

Trump’s Chosen Candidate Prevailed in a Tight Oklahoma Contest

Mr. Mazzei, the president’s selection to succeed term-limited Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, captured the Republican nomination following a closely contested race against Mr. Drummond, a former Air Force pilot currently serving his first term as attorney general.

Beyond endorsing Mr. Mazzei, Mr. Trump personally criticized Mr. Drummond throughout the campaign.

“Everyone I know can’t stand him,” Mr. Trump remarked during a phone rally supporting Mr. Mazzei on Monday.

A central issue in the race involved a $4 billion aluminum smelter project championed by Mr. Trump. Mr. Mazzei initially opposed the project before reversing his stance, while Mr. Drummond campaigned against it.

Trump’s Supporters Follow Where He Leads

Mr. Trump held a rally for Ms. Graham last Friday in Myrtle Beach, a region where third-place finisher Representative Russell Fry had performed strongest. On Tuesday, Ms. Graham decisively defeated Mr. Norman in Horry County, which encompasses Myrtle Beach.

Ms. Graham also performed well throughout eastern South Carolina, including in Charleston County, which had previously been a stronghold for rival Mark Sanford during the primary.

Text Messages From Trump’s Network Mobilized Voters

Mr. Trump’s super PAC, MAGA Inc., invested more than $800,000 in the special primary runoff, accounting for nearly one-third of the organization’s total election cycle spending. South Carolina Republicans experienced this outreach directly: many reported receiving repeated text messages, including on Election Day, encouraging support for Ms. Graham.

Republican strategists nationwide have expressed concern that MAGA Inc. has not deployed resources as rapidly as some party members desire to assist vulnerable GOP candidates. The organization’s significant investment in South Carolina may not silence all criticism, particularly given the ongoing battle for congressional control and the expectation that the Senate seat would remain Republican regardless of the nominee. However, it enables MAGA Inc. to demonstrate effectiveness when it chooses to engage in a race.

Strong Performance in South Carolina’s Conservative Heartland Wasn’t Sufficient for Norman

Mr. Norman achieved his strongest results in the Upstate region of northwest South Carolina, encompassing Greenville and Spartanburg and surrounding his congressional district. This area’s substantial Republican voter base helped him secure second place in the competitive primary two weeks ago.

However, the remainder of South Carolina supported Ms. Graham, leaving Mr. Norman without the broader coalition necessary to prevail in a two-person runoff. His supporters concentrated their hopes on Greenville County, but the results fell short.

Speaking to supporters in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on Tuesday night, Mr. Norman stated he “couldn’t have done anything different,” though he expressed disappointment that Mr. Trump had taken sides.

“That’s his right,” he acknowledged as his supporters voiced displeasure. “He has that prerogative.”

Her Brother’s Political Baggage Didn’t Derail Her Campaign

Lindsey Graham, who was seeking re-election at the time of his death, won his Republican Senate primary in June with 56 percent of the vote. This represented a modest showing for a four-term incumbent, achieved only after he and his allies invested over $18 million in the campaign. He had long faced skepticism from some Republican voters regarding his past advocacy for immigration reform and his initial support for Mr. Trump’s 2016 primary opponents.

When Ms. Graham entered the race to succeed him, her initial standing was even more precarious: she was a first-time candidate recognized by voters primarily as the sister of a senator with whom they had mixed feelings. Many Republican voters expressed concern about the appearance of nepotism.

Ms. Graham acknowledged the need to establish her own credibility with voters. She deliberately distinguished herself from her brother, emphasizing her focus on domestic policy and adopting a more stringent position on immigration.

“I continue to miss Lindsey every day, and there’s still a big hole in my heart,” she shared with supporters in Columbia, South Carolina, on Tuesday evening. “But I know he’s looking down right now, very proud of everyone in this room.”

A clear imperative to deepen her foreign policy expertise moving forward.

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