South Carolina Republican voters cast ballots Tuesday to select a nominee for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. The primary field includes several prominent state politicians seeking to win the Republican nomination for the upcoming November midterm election.
The special primary follows the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham in July 2026. Following his passing, Gov. Henry McMaster appointed the late senator's sister, Darline Graham, to fill the vacancy until the election. Since her appointment, Sen. Darline Graham has participated in high-profile Senate actions, including the confirmation of Attorney General Todd Blanche and a bill sanctioning buyers of Russian energy.
The Republican field features Sen. Darline Graham, U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, U.S. Rep. Russell Fry, and former Governor Mark Sanford. Sen. Darline Graham has received the endorsement of President Trump, who stated she is the best candidate to support his administration's goals. Rep. Norman, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, has focused his campaign on reducing the federal deficit, while Rep. Fry has emphasized the importance of voter choice within the conservative movement. Former Gov. Sanford, who also served in the House, has highlighted his executive experience and concerns regarding national debt.
For South Carolina residents, the winner of this race and the subsequent general election will influence federal policy regarding the national budget, cost of living, and national security. Sen. Darline Graham has stated her focus would be on "family struggles" and cost of living, while Rep. Norman and former Gov. Sanford have prioritized federal spending cuts. A change in representation could result in different legislative priorities for the state in Washington, D.C., potentially affecting how federal resources or sanctions policies are managed.
The primary results will also indicate the current influence of presidential endorsements versus established political experience among the South Carolina Republican electorate. Because of the size of the field, if no candidate secures a majority of the vote on Tuesday, the top two candidates will proceed to a runoff election. That runoff is scheduled for August 25, 2026. The eventual Republican nominee will face Democratic candidate Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, in the November midterm election.