Despite the South's reputation for taking things slow, one thing that moved fairly quickly was what to do in the aftermath of the death of longtime GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham, who passed away a month ago today at the age of 71.
Barely 24 hours had gone by before several names were floated as possibilities to serve out the remainder of his term, including his beloved sister, Darline Graham Nordone. President Trump liked the idea, and so did S.C. Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, who announced the following Monday that Nordone had agreed to fulfill her brother's last term in office. She was sworn in the next day as Senator Darline Graham.
This Tuesday was Special Primary Day in South Carolina, where voters took to the polls to try and decide who among a crowded field would replace the late senator on the ballot in the fall election.
Darline Graham was among those running, and though she will likely be the top vote-getter, she will not hit the 50 percent plus one vote needed to avoid a runoff. Decision Desk HQ has projected that she and Rep. Ralph Norman (SC-05) will advance:
Decision Desk HQ projects Darline Graham advances in SC US Senate Republican Special Election Primary#DecisionMade: 7:28 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/D2Vk9AkQRH
— Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) August 11, 2026
Decision Desk HQ projects Ralph Norman advances in SC US Senate Republican Special Election Primary#DecisionMade: 8:34 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/JOdltDCrtG
— Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) August 12, 2026
Graham and Norman will face off in a runoff on August 25th.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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