Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) and Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) participated in a primary runoff debate on Tuesday, ahead of early voting for the South Carolina Republican Senate nomination. The two candidates advanced to the runoff after finishing in the top two positions during last week's primary election. The winner of the upcoming contest will face Democrat Annie Andrews in the general election in November.
The vacancy occurred following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) appointed Darline Graham, the late senator's sister, to fill the seat on July 14. Before her appointment, Graham led the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and served in the state’s Vocational Rehabilitation Department. Norman has served five terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and previously spent seven years in the South Carolina state House.
During the hour-long debate hosted by South Carolina ETV and Public Radio, Norman questioned Graham's lack of legislative experience, referring to her as an "unknown candidate." Graham criticized Norman's legislative record, suggesting he had done little beyond naming a post office. The candidates also discussed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed by President Trump in July 2025. Graham stated Norman was a "holdout" on the bill, while Norman, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, said he supported the measure despite concerns regarding the national debt.
For South Carolina households, the winner of this race will hold one of the state's two seats in a U.S. Senate that oversees federal benefits, military spending, and national healthcare policy. The candidates offered differing approaches to foreign policy; Norman emphasized his tenure in Congress while Graham stated she was "not that informed on national security" but supports the military and the Trump administration's stance on China. These positions could influence future federal legislation regarding social programs like Social Security and Medicaid, as well as trade policies affecting the state's agricultural and manufacturing sectors.
The debate occurred one day before the start of early voting in the runoff election. Reports from the event noted that while both campaigns received 20 tickets, the audience appeared to favor Norman, providing louder applause for his responses. The two candidates will remain in competition until the runoff election date, though the source does not specify the exact day of the final vote. Following the runoff, the Republican nominee will prepare for the general election against Andrews in November 2026.