The Republican Senate primary in South Carolina has progressed to a runoff election. Sen. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman will compete in a runoff, following the initial vote where no candidate received over 50%. This race aims to fill the vacancy left by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, who passed away at age 71.

President Donald Trump’s influence on the Republican Party is again under scrutiny. Trump endorsed Graham, the late senator’s younger sister. Gov. Henry McMaster appointed her to serve the remainder of Lindsey Graham’s term, ending this year.

Rep. Ralph Norman, a Trump ally, and other contenders like Rep. Russell Fry and former Gov. Mark Sanford did not secure a win in the initial primary. Fry and Norman have shown support for Trump during their campaigns.

Sanford, recognized for his fiscal conservatism, was motivated by concerns over the national debt when entering the Senate race. He had previously launched an unsuccessful presidential primary challenge against Trump in 2020.

The Republican field also included businessman Mark Lynch, who lost significantly to Lindsey Graham in a prior primary. Trump’s endorsements this election season have had mixed results. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, endorsed by Trump for governor, led the primary but lost the runoff to Attorney General Alan Wilson.

The winner of the upcoming runoff will likely be the favorite in the midterms against Democratic candidate Annie Andrews, a pediatrician.