Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darline, advances to runoff in GOP battle for late senator’s SC Senate seat

WASHINGTON — Sen. Darline Graham advanced to the Aug. 25 runoff election in the special GOP primary to hold onto her late brother’s Senate seat following his abrupt death last month.

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Darline (R-SC), who was appointed to fill out the remaining months of Lindsey Graham’s (R-SC) seat in an interim capacity last month, had President Trump’s backing in the crowded primary.

She’ll face Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), who emerged from the crowded field with the second-place slot.

As of 11 p.m. ET, Graham led with 33% of the GOP primary vote compared to Norman’s 24%. Since no one reached the 50% threshold, a runoff is required in two weeks.

Graham and Norman beat out several contenders, including former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R), Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC), businessman Mark Lynch, and more, in the election for a full six-year term.

Graham honored her brother during her victory speech, while pledging to work hard to win over South Carolina voters in this final stretch.

“This past month has been brutal,” a grieving Graham told reporters about her transition from sister to candidate. “Today is the 11th. My brother passed one month ago today, so none of this has been comfortable for me.

“But like I said, I’m a fighter. I have buried my precious brother. I have taken on the role of the United States senator, and I have had this brutal campaign schedule, and I’m still standing. If that doesn’t tell you I’m a strong person and a fighter, nothing will. So I think I can handle the next two weeks.”

She said she’s open to debating Norman and thanked Trump for his support.

“She has my complete and total endorsement … right from the beginning,” Trump said during a tele-rally for Darline Monday evening. “She fully supports the Trump agenda and will help us achieve our mission.

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Primary election results:

• In South Carolina, Sen. Darline Graham Nordone and Rep. Ralph Norman advanced to a special Aug. 25 runoff to determine who will receive the Republican nomination for Senate following the death last month of Darline’s brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, 
• Minnesota voters will elect their first female governor in November, as Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Republican state House Speaker Lisa DeMuth won their respective primaries
• Progressive Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan defeated moderate Rep. Angie Craig to win the Democratic nomination for US Senate and will take on Republican Michele Tafoya, a former Emmy-winning NFL sideline reporter
• In Connecticut, 78-year-old Democratic Rep. John Larson, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1998, lost his primary to former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, 46.

“She’s tough. She looks so nice, but she’s actually tough. She’s strong, and she’s the perfect person to carry on Lindsey’s legacy.”

Lindsey had been a close friend and frequent golf partner of Trump, despite their initially rocky relationship during the 2016 presidential election cycle.

The late senator had survived a spirited primary challenge from Lynch. Due to his famously hawkish views on foreign policy, he had taken heat from some elements of the Republican base. But Lindsey also enjoyed Trump’s strong support, which helped him breeze through the challenge.

Darline has made clear that while she intends to carry her brother’s legacy forward, she wants to put more focus on affordability and domestic issues rather than foreign policy concerns.

“I’m not a politician. I’m not a millionaire,” she said during the debate. “I understand the average struggles of the American family.”

She’s also pitched herself as a staunch Trump supporter and vowed to be a strong ally of the president in the Senate.

During her brief campaign, she touted her experience on the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, South Carolina State Workforce Development Board, South Carolina Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, and elsewhere.

The eventual winner of the South Carolina Senate primary will go on to square off against pediatrician Dr. Annie Andrews, the Democrat vying for the seat.

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Republicans are generally favored to win the Palmetto State Senate seat.