Darline Graham Nordone Trounces Ralph Norman!

Republican DEI.

The special election runoff ends with a win for Sen. Darline Graham Nordone (R-SC).

She easily defeated Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC). This makes two huge losses for the far right Republican. He now can exit Congress along with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC).

Graham Nordone, younger sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham who was appointed to complete his term, on Tuesday won a special primary runoff election to replace her brother on the November ballot, the Associated Press projects.

As of 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25, the special GOP primary runoff for U.S. Senate in South Carolina was called in favor of Darline Graham Nordone -- who is going by Darline Graham in the Senate.

Graham Nordone had secured at least 178,000 votes, defeating runoff opponent Norman in the special primary.

Graham Nordone was one of 10 Republican candidates vying for the U.S. Senate seat in South Carolina in the Aug. 11 special primary election, which was held following Lindsey Graham’s death. No candidate obtained enough of a majority to avoid a runoff, however.

Now Graham Nordone and Norman obtained the most votes out of the 10 Republican candidates, securing 32.8% and 24.6% of the vote, respectively. The two went head-to-head in a runoff election on Tuesday.

After winning Tuesday’s runoff, Graham Nordone  will face off against Democratic nominee for Senate Dr. Annie Andrews in South Carolina’s general election this November.

Old is no longer cool.

Darline Graham serving remainder of late brother’s term in Senate

Graham Nordone was appointed in July to serve the remainder of Lindsey Graham’s term in the Senate, following his unexpected death. Lindsey Graham’s current Senate term is set to expire in January 2027.

The late Lindsey Graham had won his Senate primary in June, and was seeking a fifth term in the role. He died on July 11 from a believed tear in his aorta.

Lindsey Graham served as U.S. senator for South Carolina since 2003.

Following her appointment, Graham Nordone announced that she’d run for a full term to replace her brother in the Senate. Both her appointment and her Senate campaign were endorsed by President Donald J. Trump.

Graham Nordone was also endorsed by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, whose seat will also be up for grabs in November.

Prior to her current nomination to Senate, Graham Nordone had not served in public office.

Graham Nordone will face off against Democratic nominee for Senate Dr. Annie Andrews in South Carolina’s general election this November.

About the special Republican primary runoff

The runoff election for the U.S. Senate special Republican primary took place on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Eligible voters were helping to narrow the field of candidates ahead of the general midterm election on Nov. 3, 2026.

South Carolina’s last U.S. Senate special election was in 2014, when Tim Scott took office.

Anyone who meets the U.S. Constitution’s requirements and South Carolina’s requirements can run for the U.S. Senate special election.

Who can vote?

Any registered voter who voted in the June Republican primary -- or did not vote in either party’s primary -- can vote in the special election.

Anyone who voted in the June Democratic primary cannot vote in the special election.

The deadline to register to vote in the special election was July 12.

Voters can verify their registration status and view a sample ballot on the South Carolina Election Commission website.