Top News - UPI.com
· collected 2026-08-26 · by Darryl Coote, Joe Fisher
Sen. Darline Graham, sister of late Sen. Lindsey Graham, won a Republican runoff primary in South Carolina with 52.45% of the vote against Rep. Ralph Norman's 47.55%. Graham will face Democrat Annie Andrews in November's midterm election, who has framed their matchup as "The sister vs. the doctor". The election was closely watched after President Donald Trump endorsed Graham and held a tele-rally on her behalf. Graham is a political newcomer, having been appointed to public office just last month following her brother's death.
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.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning score +0.35 for article 2621 (medium confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-08-27
Republican voters in South Carolina late Tuesday nominated Sen. Darline Graham, a political newcomer and sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, for a full Senate term in November after she defeated Rep. Ralph Norman in a runoff primary.
asserted
she → nominate → primary
With all 2,311 precincts reporting, Darline Graham received 52.45% of the vote, compared to Norman's 47.55%, according to unofficial state results.
uncertain
Graham → report → results
"South Carolina, I am deeply honored and humbled to accept your nomination as the Republican candidate for the United States Senate," Darline Graham, who had President Donald Trump's endorsement, said in a statement claiming victory.
"
asserted
who → honor → victory
Now, we turn our focus to November.
asserted
we → turn → November
Together, we will fight for our values, defend South Carolina and keep America strong."
Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, was awaiting the result to see who she would face in the midterm election on Nov. 3.
After it appeared that Darline Graham would be the nominee, Andrews posted a picture online framing the Senate race as "The sister vs. the doctor."
asserted
Andrews → fight → doctor
"The field is set and I'm ready to bring this election home," Andrews said.
asserted
Andrews → set → election
Norman, who has represented South Carolina's 5th Congressional District since 2017, has conceded defeat, lamenting Trump's involvement in the election before supporters late Tuesday.
asserted
who → represent → supporters
"I never understood why he got in this race," he said in his speech.
asserted
he → understand → speech
And I'll accept it.
asserted
I → accept → it
And I always said, something good will come out of this.
asserted
something → say → this
I don't know what it is but something good will come out of it."
asserted
something → know → it
Darline Graham is in her first foray into public office after being appointed last month following her brother's sudden death.
asserted
Graham → appoint → death
Trump held a tele-rally on Monday to make his final appeal to voters to support her.
asserted
Trump → hold → her
"I asked her to do it," Trump said of Darline Graham's campaign.
asserted
Trump → ask → campaign
"I got her into this whole thing."
asserted
I → get → thing
Trump lauded Darline Graham for being supportive of his agenda.
asserted
Trump → laud → agenda
"What I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I'm on the ballot," Trump said at a rally in Myrtle Beach on Friday.
asserted
Trump → want → Friday
Norman self-funded most of his primary campaign, which has focused on his track record as a conservative.
asserted
which → fund → conservative
He vowed not to run a negative campaign against Darline Graham but has highlighted her lack of experience.
asserted
He → vow → experience
Sen. Lindsey Graham was set to run for re-election in November after winning the Republican primary in June.
asserted
Graham → set → June
