# SC Senate race 2026 – Primary held, Norman vs Nordone runoff > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-carolina-senate-race-2026 > Updated: 2026-08-20T01:38:04.000Z. Sources: 141. Developments: 12. The special election to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death continues to dominate South Carolina politics. Following Graham’s death on July 11 from an aortic dissection, the Republican field has consolidated around ten candidates. On August 11, South Carolina Republicans held the special primary to select a nominee. The contest featured several prominent figures, including Rep. Ralph Norman, Rep. Russell Fry, former governor Mark Sanford, and interim Sen. Darline Graham Nordone. While Nordone—the late senator’s sister—led the field with approximately 32.7% of the vote, no candidate secured an outright majority, necessitating a runoff. As the August 25 runoff approaches, Rep. Ralph Norman has positioned himself as a “known quantity” on national issues, specifically targeting the SAVE Act to argue that election security is essential to maintaining a republic. Norman has criticized the “Washington elite” for supporting Nordone, whom he characterized as an “unknown” despite her being a “nice person.” He has also called Donald Trump’s endorsement of Nordone a “head scratcher” and labeled her the “establishment’s” candidate. During a televised debate, Nordone faced intense scrutiny regarding foreign policy. When questioned about U.S. interests in Taiwan and the South China Sea, Nordone stated, “I’m not that informed on national security... national security is not my thing, not my area of expertise, but I do support the military.” Following the exchange, Nordone attempted damage control by stating she is “not a politician” and arguing that voters are more concerned with the economy and immigration. To bolster her bid, President Donald Trump has endorsed Nordone and is scheduled to campaign for her at a rally in Myrtle Beach. ## Claims - Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman advanced to a Republican Senate primary runoff in South Carolina. (disputed by 11 sources) - Darline Graham secured approximately 32.7% of the vote in the special primary. (disputed by 4 sources) - Darline Graham secured approximately 31% of the vote in the special primary. (disputed by 2 sources) - Darline Graham finished first and Ralph Norman finished second in the August 11 special GOP primary. (disputed) - A runoff election is scheduled for August 25. (corroborated by 19 sources) - Senator Lindsey Graham died on July 11 after suffering a tear in his aorta. (corroborated by 15 sources) - President Donald Trump endorsed Darline Graham's candidacy. (corroborated by 15 sources) - Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to serve the remainder of Lindsey Graham's term through early January. (corroborated by 14 sources) - The winner of the Aug. 25 runoff will face Democrat Annie Andrews in the general election. (corroborated by 8 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-20: Darline Graham faces scrutiny in South Carolina Senate runoff South Carolina Senator Darline Graham faces scrutiny in a GOP Senate runoff against Ralph Norman after admitting a lack of knowledge regarding national security during a recent debate. 26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/darline-graham-struggles-with-national-security-questions-in-debate ### 2026-08-18: Darline Graham faces scrutiny over national security knowledge in debate South Carolina Senator Darline Graham faced criticism during a GOP Senate debate after admitting she is “not that informed on national security” when asked about Taiwan and the South China Sea. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ralph-norman-challenges-darline-graham-in-sc-senate-runoff ### 2026-08-15: Ralph Norman targets South Carolina Senate runoff with SAVE Act focus Rep. Ralph Norman is campaigning for the South Carolina Republican Senate runoff, centering his platform on the SAVE Act and criticizing the support of “Washington elites” for opponent Darline Graham Nordone. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ralph-norman-targets-south-carolina-senate-runoff-with-save-act-focus ### 2026-08-13: Darline Graham faces Ralph Norman in South Carolina Senate runoff Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman will face each other in a South Carolina Republican Senate runoff on August 25 after Graham failed to secure a majority in the August 11 special primary. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/darline-graham-faces-ralph-norman-in-south-carolina-senate-runoff ### 2026-08-11: Darline Graham and Ralph Norman advance to SC Senate runoff Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman are headed to a South Carolina Republican Senate primary runoff on August 25 to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. 56 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-carolina-republicans-hold-special-primary-for-senate-seat ### 2026-08-09: South Carolina holds special Republican Senate primary to replace Lindsey Graham South Carolina Republicans vote Tuesday in a special primary to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. Darline Graham, endorsed by Donald Trump, is among ten candidates competing for the nomination. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-carolina-holds-special-primary-to-replace-sen-lindsey-graham ### 2026-08-07: South Carolina GOP holds special Senate primary to replace Lindsey Graham South Carolina Republicans head to a special primary to fill the late Lindsey Graham's Senate seat, featuring a competitive race between Darline Graham, Russell Fry, Ralph Norman, and Mark Sanford. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-carolina-republican-senate-primary-set-for-runoff-between-nordone-and-norman ### 2026-07-31: Darline Graham Secures Trump Endorsement Amid South Carolina Senate Race After Lindsey Graham’s death, his sister Darline was appointed to the Senate, received Trump’s endorsement, and is running for a full term amid conservative skepticism and policy calls for tougher Russia‑sanct​ 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-carolina-senate-seat-race-intensifies-ahead-of-november-vote ### 2026-07-28: South Carolina GOP Senate Primary: Norman Leads, Graham Trails in Poll Ralph Norman leads South Carolina GOP Senate primary with 22 % versus Darline Graham’s 19 %; the race follows Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death, with Trump endorsing Graham and Norman targeting the filibuster. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ralph-norman-leads-race-for-south-carolina-senate-seat ### 2026-07-23: South Carolina Senate Race Intensifies After Lindsey Graham's Death After Lindsey Graham’s death, his sister Darline, endorsed by Trump, leads a crowded GOP primary for the South Carolina Senate seat amid challenges from Mark Sanford, Ralph Norman and others, with Nancy Mace – 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mark-sanford-joins-crowded-gop-primary-for-south-carolina-us-senate-seat ### 2026-07-17: Ralph Norman launches Senate campaign to replace Lindsey Graham in South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman entered the South Carolina Senate race to replace the late Lindsey Graham, pledging to push Trump’s America First agenda and the SAVE America Act, with filing July 21‑28 and a primary on Aug. 31 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gop-leaders-eye-lindsey-grahams-south-carolina-senate-seat ### 2026-07-13: Nikki Haley Declines to Run for South Carolina Senate Seat Nikki Haley says she will not run in the South Carolina special Senate election to replace Lindsey Graham; other Republican hopefuls and Democrat Annie Andrews will contest the seat. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nikki-haley-declines-to-run-for-south-carolina-senate-seat --- Cite as: SC Senate race 2026 – Primary held, Norman vs Nordone runoff. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-carolina-senate-race-2026