Senator Darline Graham and Representative Ralph Norman advanced to a runoff in South Carolina's Republican Senate primary on August 11, 2026, following a crowded initial contest. The runoff is scheduled for August 25, 2026, and is expected to determine the state's next senator after the passing of Lindsey Graham.
No candidate secured the majority needed for an outright nomination, according to the Associated Press. Graham, who has been supported by President Trump, has positioned herself as a continuation of her brother's work, while Norman has emphasized his conservative record. The eventual Republican nominee is anticipated to be favored against Democrat Annie Andrews in the November election, as South Carolina has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1998.
The primary narrowed the field from nine candidates to a head-to-head contest between Graham and Norman. Graham, who entered the race on July 20 after being appointed to the Senate seat, has not held public office prior to this role. Norman, a hard-line conservative and vice chair of the House Freedom Caucus, previously placed third in the state's gubernatorial primary.
The runoff will test Trump's influence over the Republican electorate, as both candidates align with his agenda. The two finalists have 14 days to secure the support of candidates who were eliminated in the primary.