Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) and appointed Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC) have advanced to the Republican Senate primary runoff in South Carolina.
The runoff determines which candidate will represent the GOP in the race to fill the U.S. Senate seat previously held by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.
The two candidates emerged as the top two vote-getters [2] in a special primary election. Under South Carolina election law, a runoff is triggered when no single candidate secures a majority of the votes in the initial primary.
Rep. Norman and Sen. Graham are now the only two candidates remaining in the contest [1]. The runoff election is scheduled for Aug. 25, 2026 [1].
Sen. Graham currently holds the seat by appointment. The special primary was organized to formally select a Republican successor to the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. The outcome of the Aug. 25 vote will decide who moves forward to the general election to secure the seat for a full term.
The race has drawn significant attention due to the high profile of the vacancy and the differing backgrounds of the two finalists. The runoff will serve as the final internal GOP hurdle before the general election process begins.
“Rep. Ralph Norman and appointed Sen. Darline Graham have advanced to the Republican Senate primary runoff.”
This runoff represents a critical juncture for the South Carolina Republican Party as it seeks to replace a long-standing legislative presence. Because the seat is currently held by an appointee, the result will determine whether the GOP maintains continuity with Sen. Graham's appointment or pivots to Rep. Norman's legislative profile.
