A crowded field of Republican candidates has entered a compressed special primary race to determine who will replace U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham on November ballots following his unexpected death earlier this month at age 71. The primary election is scheduled for Aug. 11, with candidates having just over two weeks to campaign after the filing deadline closes Tuesday.
Darline Graham, the late senator’s sister, became an immediate focal point in the contest after being appointed by Republican Gov. Henry McMaster to serve out the remainder of her brother’s current Senate term through January. She subsequently announced her candidacy for the permanent seat, backed by President Donald Trump. Despite her decades of involvement in her brother’s political campaigns, Darline Graham remains largely unknown to South Carolina voters as a political figure in her own right, raising questions about whether sympathy for her brother’s passing will translate into voter support.
Several established Republican figures have also entered the race. U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, fresh from an unsuccessful gubernatorial bid, has secured endorsements from other House members including Rep. Nancy Mace and various law enforcement officials. Rep. Russell Fry, known for his strong support of Trump policies in his Myrtle Beach area district, is working to expand his name recognition statewide. Former U.S. Congressman and Governor Mark Sanford has launched yet another comeback attempt, months after abandoning a House race he had attributed to wanting to focus on addressing the national debt.
Other candidates include Mark Lynch, a Greenville businessman who challenged Graham in the regular primary last month; former Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark McBride; Duke Buckner, a Walterboro attorney and perennial candidate; and several other Republican hopefuls. No candidate receiving a majority vote will trigger a runoff election scheduled for Aug. 25. The special primary comes in a state where no Democrat has won a statewide elected office in two decades, suggesting the Republican nominee will likely win the general election.
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