Photo Credit: Darline Graham for U.S. Senate
By BallotWire
08/11/2026
The Wire: Appointed Sen. Darline Graham Nordone and Rep. Ralph Norman advanced to an Aug. 25 Republican runoff in South Carolina's special Senate election, after Graham Nordone led the crowded field Tuesday but fell well short of the majority needed to win outright.
Why it counts: The head-to-head sets up a direct test of President Trump's endorsement, which he handed to Graham Nordone weeks after recruiting her to fill her late brother's seat. A Norman win would be the second time this year that South Carolina Republicans rejected a Trump-backed candidate.
The margin: Graham Nordone finished first with 32.7%, or 109,582 votes. Norman took the second runoff slot with 24.6%, edging Rep. Russell Fry, who drew 19.6%. Former Gov. Mark Sanford, the only major candidate who did not align himself with Trump's agenda, failed to advance.
The fine print: The outside money was heavily one-sided. A pair of pro-Graham Nordone super PACs, Palmetto Action and Security is Strength PAC, spent more than $1.2 million on her behalf, while spending by Norman's allies came in under $50,000. Even so, the combined vote for Norman and Fry shows a clear bloc of primary voters looking past the appointed senator.
On the record: Asked about being passed over for Trump's endorsement, Norman said he wanted it but was fine without it because South Carolina is choosing its next senator. "I see an electricity in this race," he added.
The counter: Graham Nordone, sworn in less than a month ago after the death of her brother, called the night emotional but said she is ready to move forward. Trump has framed her candidacy as a tribute to Lindsey Graham and a boost for his agenda, and her allies are betting his backing carries a one-on-one runoff.
The backdrop: Norman, a Freedom Caucus member already retiring from the House, finished third in June's Republican gubernatorial primary. That race ended with Attorney General Alan Wilson routing Trump-backed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in the runoff, the earlier rejection Norman's camp hopes to repeat. Trump carried South Carolina with 58% in 2024, and Lindsey Graham last won the seat with 54% in 2020.
Looking ahead: The two Republicans meet Aug. 25, with only voters who did not participate in another party's June primary eligible. The winner becomes the GOP nominee against Democrat Annie Andrews, a Charleston pediatrician, in the Nov. 3 special general election.