Darline Graham’s attempt to turn a temporary Senate appointment into a six-year term is headed to a direct Republican runoff after she led South Carolina’s 10-way special primary with 32.7% of the vote, The Wall Street Journal reports, well short of the majority needed to secure the nomination outright.
The result puts fresh attention on a criticism Graham rejected on primary day: that her route into the Senate had been “handed” to her following the death of her brother, longtime Sen. Lindsey Graham.
NBC News correspondent Ryan Nobles said the issue was the main concern he had heard from voters heading into Tuesday’s primary.
Sponsored · Cambria Gold Mines
“I don’t see it that way. I’m not being handed this seat,” Graham replied when asked about it. She said she understood that she had to earn voters and planned to spend the next two weeks campaigning across the state.
The exchange also drew a Community Note on X, which pushed back on Graham’s wording by stating that she was “literally being handed this seat” and linking to coverage of her appointment. The note reflects the distinction driving the controversy: Graham was appointed to serve the remainder of her brother’s term, while the full six-year term still requires her to win at the ballot box.
Graham did not win the Senate office she currently holds. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed her on July 13 to fill the vacancy created by Lindsey Graham’s death. She took the oath the following day and will serve only through January 3, 2027.
McMaster’s office said South Carolina law authorizes the governor to fill a US Senate vacancy by appointment until a successor is elected. His announcement described Darline Graham as a nearly 30-year public servant who had led the South Carolina Commission for the Blind since 2019.
Sponsored · Altamira Gold Corp.
She had never previously been elected to office. But the six-year term beginning next year is a separate contest.
Lindsey Graham had already won South Carolina’s June 9 Republican primary for another term before his July 11 death. State law then allowed Republicans to hold a special primary to select a replacement nominee for the November ballot.
Darline Graham entered that race with President Donald Trump’s endorsement. With more than 95% of votes counted, The Wall Street Journal reported Graham at 32.7%, followed by Rep. Ralph Norman at 24.3%. The two will meet in an August 25 runoff.
The winner will face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in the November 3 general election.
Graham returned to the legitimacy question after advancing Tuesday night, telling supporters,
“This seat belongs to the people of South Carolina and I will work hard to earn, earn your vote,” she said.
