President Donald Trump traveled to South Carolina to endorse Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., emphasizing her focus on affordability and military support. The event took place on August 21, 2026, at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, ahead of the GOP state primary.

Darline Graham, succeeding her late brother Lindsey Graham, expressed gratitude for Trump’s support. On the same day, polls closed in South Carolina as Trump’s influence over the GOP and the power of his endorsements faced a test in statewide runoff elections there and in Oklahoma.

Trump is endorsing Graham in the Republican Senate nomination runoff in South Carolina, following the unexpected death of her brother Lindsey Graham this summer at age 71. Additionally, Trump backs Mike Mazzei for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in Oklahoma, where current Governor Kevin Stitt is term-limited.

Both Trump-backed candidates are in competitive contests alongside a special election runoff in Georgia. There, two Democrats are competing to fill the congressional seat left vacant after Democratic Rep. David Scott’s death in April. The winner will reduce the already fragile Republican majority in the House.

In the South Carolina Senate race, Graham faces Rep. Ralph Norman to replace her late brother as the Republican nominee for the upcoming midterm election. Graham and Norman were the top candidates in a special Senate primary two weeks ago, advancing to a runoff after neither secured a majority. The primary field included Rep. Russell Fry and former governor and Rep. Mark Sanford.

President Trump urged voters to support Graham by voting in person, stressing the importance of the election. Graham has endorsements from South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, who appointed her to serve the remainder of her brother’s term. She also gains support from Rep. Fry and Sen. Tim Scott, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Norman, who unsuccessfully pursued the GOP gubernatorial nomination earlier this year, highlights his support for Trump in his campaign while questioning Trump’s endorsement of Graham. He has backing from Sanford, known for his fiscal conservatism, who briefly challenged Trump in an unsuccessful 2020 presidential campaign.

Trump’s endorsement has mixed outcomes in South Carolina races. Earlier, he backed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette for governor, but she lost the runoff election against Attorney General Alan Wilson. Trump attempted to secure a win by endorsing Wilson as well.

A GOP consultant described the South Carolina primary as a referendum on Trump, suggesting his visit aimed to solidify his endorsement and demonstrate a victory.

Norman receives backing from former Governor Nikki Haley, who endorsed him over Trump in the 2024 presidential primaries.

In Oklahoma, Trump’s candidate Mazzei was narrowly edged out by Attorney General Gentner Drummond in the initial GOP primary. The runoff winner is anticipated to be the general election favorite in the predominantly Republican state.

President Trump continues to boast a strong record of endorsements in GOP primaries, though five of his gubernatorial picks have not succeeded, including Evette and other candidates in Georgia, Iowa, Wyoming, and Minnesota.

GOP strategist Ryan Williams noted Trump’s endorsements as a significant advantage in primaries but highlighted that candidate-specific challenges could affect outcomes.

Meanwhile, the special Georgia election sees two Democrats vying to complete Scott’s term in the House—former Gwinnett County School Board Chair Everton Blair and Marcye Scott, the late congressman’s daughter.