South Carolina Republicans held a special primary on August 11 to select a nominee to replace the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who won the state’s regular Republican primary with 56.8% of the vote on June 9 before his unexpected death on July 11.
Nine candidates competed in the special primary, with Gov. Henry McMaster’s appointed interim senator, Darline Graham—Lindsey Graham’s sister—facing strong challenges from U.S. Representatives Ralph Norman and Russell Fry, as well as former Governor Mark Sanford and businessman Mark Lynch, who finished second in the June primary with 28.9% of the vote.
Darline Graham made history when McMaster appointed her on July 13, becoming the first sibling in U.S. history to be appointed to succeed a senator since the 17th Amendment established direct election of senators in 1913. She received backing from President Donald Trump, who encouraged her to seek a full six-year term.
Pre-election polling from late July showed Ralph Norman leading at 22%, with Darline Graham at 19% and Russell Fry at 12%, suggesting the race would likely require a runoff on August 25 if no candidate secured a majority. The winner would become the third person elected to the seat since 1956, following only Strom Thurmond and Lindsey Graham.
The special primary became necessary after Graham’s death created a vacancy. The Republican nominee selected on August 11 would advance to face Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, in the November general election. The race is rated as likely Republican by major election forecasters, reflecting the state’s strong Republican lean in statewide elections.
This special primary represents one of the most significant Republican contests in South Carolina in recent years, with national implications for Senate control. As Senate control remains a toss-up heading into November with 35 seats up for grabs, the outcome in South Carolina could influence the party’s overall standing in 2026.
Sources
- Ballotpedia — Information on the August 11 special Republican primary, candidate profiles, and historical context on sibling succession
- NBC News — Live primary results and candidate vote totals from the June 9 primary
- AP News — Coverage of the special primary process following Lindsey Graham’s death
- Emerson College Polling — Pre-election polling data from July 30 showing candidate support levels
