Runoff Election Set For Lindsey Graham’s Former Senate Seat– trendingpoliticsnews.com

Interim U.S. Senator Darline Graham and U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman have advanced to a runoff in South Carolina’s special Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by the late Senator Lindsey Graham.

Ahead of Tuesday’s primary, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham’s sister, to serve the remainder of the term, which ends in January 2027. Under state law, a special primary was required to select the Republican nominee for the full six-year term beginning in 2027.

Ten candidates appeared on the Republican primary ballot. Unofficial results with nearly all votes counted showed Darline Graham receiving 109,582 votes, or 32.7 percent, while Norman secured second place with 24.6 percent of the vote.

Significant vote shares also went to additional candidates, as U.S. Rep. Russell Fry finished third with roughly 19.6 percent of the vote. Former Governor Mark Sanford trailed close behind with 14.9 percent, while businessman Mark Lynch, who previously mounted a primary challenge against the late Senator Graham, received a little under six percent. A handful of additional candidates received smaller shares of the vote.