Trump Endorsement Faces Test in South Carolina Senate Runoff

South Carolina Republican voters are casting ballots on Tuesday in a special primary runoff election for the U.S. Senate, pitting Trump-backed appointed Sen. Darline Graham against hard-line conservative Rep. Ralph Norman.

The election will fill the ballot spot left by former Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died in July. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham's sister, Darline Graham, to the seat before she launched a campaign for a full term with President Donald Trump's backing.

The election serves as a high-stakes test of Trump's endorsement power following six primary defeats for his backed candidates earlier in August. His political action committee, MAGA Inc., has poured over $800,000 into the South Carolina contest.

Graham, a former state official who led the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, held a 32.7% to 24.6% lead over Norman in the initial August primary, though neither reached the threshold needed to avoid a runoff. The winner will face Democratic candidate Annie Andrews in the November general election.

President Donald Trump reinforced his endorsement during a recent campaign event, urging his supporters to treat the election as if he were on the ballot himself.

"I asked her to do this," said Donald Trump, U.S. President. "I said, 'Darline, you gotta do it.' 'Cause everyone loves her, everyone respects her.

I’ve known her, through Lindsey … I think Lindsey respected Darline more than any other person he knows, including me. That does not make me happy. I’m not happy about that."

Trump emphasized the need for high voter turnout among his core constituency in non-presidential election cycles.

"The problem that we have is, they say that Trump does great when he’s on the ballot, but when he’s not on the ballot, his people don’t come and they don’t vote for senators, congressmen and other Republicans," said Donald Trump, U.S. President. "And that these people, they’re running, they’re great.

But Trump isn’t actually on the ballot. So what I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot. Just come and vote."

Graham has leaned heavily on her brother's political legacy while positioning herself as an outsider during her campaign.

"I have said many times I’m not a politician, certainly not a career politician. I don’t speak politician," said Darline Graham, U.S. Senator.

Norman, who has served nine years in Congress, has questioned Graham's experience, specifically targeting a recent debate remark where she stated defense policy was not her primary expertise.

"Who said Donald Trump was the only one who can get a crowd?" said Ralph Norman, U.S. Representative.

Addressing his supporters in Anderson, South Carolina, Norman acknowledged the challenge of running against a Trump-endorsed candidate while remaining confident in his conservative record.

"I mean, the president, he’s an asset wherever he goes — he draws a great crowd," said Ralph Norman, U.S. Representative. "Would I have liked his endorsement?

Yeah, I would. But we didn’t, and that’s fine. The people in South Carolina are going to pick their next senator, though."

The congressman also drew a sports analogy when criticizing Graham's political qualifications for the six-year Senate term.

"Imagine if I went to [head football coach] Dabo Swinney at Clemson and any of the coaches and said: ‘Look, I got a prospect I want you to look at, and I want them to,’" said Ralph Norman, U.S. Representative. "‘They can start.

I want you to sign them up. They can start for the next six years.’ ‘What’s the qualifications?’ ‘They’re kin to Tom Brady.’ Tell me how that analogy doesn’t work here."

Polling locations across South Carolina remain open through Tuesday evening, with election results expected later in the night.