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22h ago

Ralph Norman Enters South Carolina Senate Race, Deepening GOP Split Over Graham Succession

A split over endorsements has transformed the compressed August primary into a test of who will carry the party’s agenda.

U.S. Representative Ralph Norman (R-SC) attends a House Rules Committee meeting after the Senate passes U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping spending and tax bill, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 1, 2025. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/ File Photo
Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., at the U.S. Capitol on July 22, 2025.
U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) speaks to reporters as he leaves a House Republican Conference meeting at the Cannon House Office Building on May 20, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Overview

  • Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death was linked to a tear in an artery by preliminary medical-examiner findings, and Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham’s sister Darline Graham Nordone as interim senator.
  • State law set a short filing window from July 21 to July 28 and a special Republican primary on August 11 to choose the November nominee for the seat.
  • Rep. Ralph Norman announced his campaign on July 18 and pledged to push for President Trump’s SAVE America Act and to try to end the Senate filibuster if elected.
  • Norman has picked up endorsements from Senators Rick Scott and Mike Lee while President Trump has publicly urged and endorsed interim Sen. Darline Graham to run, creating a visible split among senior Republicans.
  • The field already includes businessman Mark Lynch and attorney Duke Buckner, early polling gives Norman a modest lead near 16 percent, and the primary outcome could shape the narrow Senate majority and the GOP’s ability to pass Trump-backed measures.