Overview
- Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman advanced from the Aug. 11 special GOP primary and will face each other in an Aug. 25 runoff that is expected to determine the Republican nominee for the November Senate race.
- In a televised debate on Tuesday, Graham said she was “not that informed on national security” when asked about Taiwan and the South China Sea and also misstated South Carolina’s population as 50 million, comments that went viral and drew bipartisan criticism.
- President Trump has publicly endorsed Graham and is campaigning with her, and Rep. Russell Fry, who finished third, formally urged his supporters to back her in the runoff, concentrating outside resources and name recognition behind the appointed incumbent.
- Norman has questioned Trump’s endorsement and used the debate to contrast his congressional experience with Graham’s newcomer status, while figures including Nikki Haley publicly said the debate answer underscored concerns about her qualifications.
- The short special‑election calendar and early voting schedule sharpen the impact of endorsements, viral moments, and turnout efforts, and the eventual GOP nominee will face Democrat Annie Andrews in November.