Darline Graham Nordone has won the runoff election for South Carolina's special Republican Senate primary with 52.5% of the vote. She will face off against Democratic candidate Annie Andrews in the November general election. Nordone, a temporary replacement for her late brother Lindsey Graham, had previously earned 33% of the vote in the initial primary but fell short of the majority required to win outright. The Cook Political Report rates the upper chamber seat as "Solid Republican", making it unlikely to flip to Democratic control.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-26,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Here is a summary of the news story:
Donald Trump rallied in South Carolina's Myrtle Beach Convention Center on Friday, August 21, to support Darline Graham, the sister of late Senator Lindsey Graham, in her bid for a six-year U.S. Senate term. The rally was part of Trump's effort to bolster Graham's chances in the special Republican primary runoff against Ralph Norman, a member of the House Freedom Caucus. Graham, 62, had been appointed by Governor Henry McMaster to fill her brother's seat after his sudden death last month. Despite struggling with a debate gaffe where she admitted to not being "that informed on national security," Trump endorsed Graham and campaigned on her behalf, claiming he "got her into this whole thing" and must ensure she wins.
On Tuesday, August 25, South Carolina Republicans voted in the runoff election, and Darline Graham Nordone won with about 52.5% of the vote, defeating Norman. Graham will now face off against Democratic candidate Annie Andrews, a pediatrician who won her primary in June. The seat is considered "Solid Republican" by the Cook Political Report, but Trump's efforts to support Graham are seen as an important test of his influence over Republican voters ahead of the midterm elections.
Note: This summary focuses on the key events and players in the story, including Trump's rally and endorsement, Graham's debate gaffe and candidacy, and the outcome of the runoff election.
Written for “Trump Backs Lindsey Graham's Sister” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 11 other(s) covering the same event.
South Carolina Republicans voted to try to keep one of the state’s U.S. Senate seats in the Graham family, as Darline Graham Nordone, who was appointed to fill it temporarily, has won the runoff for the special Republican primary election to replace her late brother Lindsey Graham on the ballot in the November general election.
asserted
who → vote → election
The Associated Press called the race at 9:01 p.m. ET, as Nordone led with about 52.5% of the vote.
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Nordone → call → vote
“There is still a big hole in my heart,” Nordone told supporters at a rally, “but I know he’s looking down right now very proud of everyone in this room.”
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he → be → room
She then added that her nomination is merely “the starting line for an even bigger fight which lies ahead.”
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which → add → fight
Nordone will next face off against the Democratic candidate Annie Andrews, a pediatrician who won her primary in June.
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who → face → June
The upper chamber seat, though, is unlikely to flip in Democrats’ favor; the Cook Political Report rates the race as “Solid Republican.”
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Report → flip → Republican
In June, Graham won the Republican primary race to compete for his fifth term as Senator, but after his death the following month, a special primary election was called for Aug. 11.
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election → win → Aug.
While Nordone, who was appointed by South Carolina’s Governor to serve out the remainder of her brother’s term, earned the highest share of the vote on Aug. 11, she fell short of the majority she needed to win the race, triggering the runoff.
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she → appoint → runoff
Nordone earned nearly 33% of the vote on Aug. 11, while her opponent, U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, came in second, with nearly 25%, sending both candidates to the runoff race.
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opponent → earn → race
President Donald Trump had championed Nordone in the race, publicly encouraging her to run for a full term before she had even announced her plans to do so.
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she → champion → plans
In a Truth Social post in July, Trump called Nordone “a spectacular person, and a true American Patriot.”
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Trump → call → Nordone
“Lindsey was one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, and his sister shares his deep love of our Country, and the State of South Carolina,” Trump said in his post.
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Trump → know → post
He added that he asked Nordone to run for a full term, saying, “I hope Darline does this, in that there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey.
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Darline → add → brother
Darline, who comes from an absolutely incredible family, has been a WINNER all of her life and, should she accept, has my Complete and Total Endorsement in the Special Election for U.S. Senate in South Carolina.
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she → come → Carolina
Although Nordone was a strong supporter of her brother’s political career over the years, she had never before held elected office.
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she → hold → office
Her lack of political experience was the subject of scrutiny during her campaign, particularly after a debate against Norman leading up to Tuesday’s runoff.
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lack → lead → runoff
When asked during the debate if Taiwan and the South China Sea are national security issues for the U.S., Nordone replied: “I’m just going to be honest here …
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I → ask → U.S.
I’m not that informed on national security, so.”
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I → ’m → security
Her opponents were quick to criticize her for the remark.
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opponents → criticize → remark
Nikki Haley, Trump’s former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. who endorsed Norman in the race, shared a clip of Nordone’s response to the debate question on X, saying, “Lindsey Graham was well informed on the United States’ national security.
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Graham → endorse → security
Darline Graham admits she’s not.
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she → admit → ?
This is not something you inherit.
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you → inherit → ?
And it’s critical in the U.S. Senate.”
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it → ’ → Senate
“I tripped up on one question last night,” she said.
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she → trip → question
“But you know, I’ve said many times, I’m not a politician, certainly not a career politician.
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I → know → ?
I don’t speak politician.
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I → speak → politician
You know, I was just honest, and I think that’s kind of a foreign concept.”
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that → know → ?
