Overview
- Darline Graham was appointed to fill her late brother Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat and quickly launched a campaign to keep it after being sworn in days after his death.
- President Trump has publicly endorsed Graham, a move that boosted her standing in prediction markets but has not fully unified the GOP field.
- Graham told voters she would eliminate the Senate filibuster and stand “100%” behind President Trump, a debate position that deepened divisions among Republican candidates.
- Prediction markets show Graham as the frontrunner while other candidates, including Reps. Ralph Norman and Russell Fry and former Gov. Mark Sanford, remain viable in a volatile race.
- The Republican special primary is set for Aug. 11 with a possible Aug. 25 runoff, and the winner is widely expected to be heavily favored in November’s general election.