Trump Endorses Candidates in South Carolina and Oklahoma GOP Runoffs

On August 25, 2026, voters in South Carolina and Oklahoma headed to the polls for critical Republican runoff elections, testing President Donald Trump's influence within the GOP ahead of November's general elections.

In South Carolina, Sen. Darline Graham, appointed to fill the late Lindsey Graham's Senate seat, faced Rep. Ralph Norman in a runoff to secure the party's nomination for the full term.

Graham, endorsed by Trump, received about 33% of the vote in the initial primary, while Norman garnered 25%. Norman has served in Congress since 2017 and is part of the House Freedom Caucus.

Graham's campaign has faced scrutiny due to her inexperience and a debate moment where she admitted national security "is not my thing" and misstated the state's population. She is relying on her family name and Trump's backing to overcome concerns from some Republicans who favor more experienced candidates.

"I am answering President Trump's call to serve," Graham said, emphasizing her commitment despite lacking prior elected office experience.

Norman, who failed to win the governor's race earlier this year, has positioned himself as a fiscal hawk loyal to Trump's agenda despite lacking the president's endorsement. Former Gov. Mark Sanford, eliminated in the first round, endorsed Norman.

"Lindsey Graham's sudden death gave me a second chance at office," Norman said, framing his candidacy as a continuation of conservative representation.

On the Democratic side in South Carolina, Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, awaits the Republican nominee for the general election. Andrews focuses her campaign on healthcare and presents herself as an alternative to career politicians, noting some Republicans feel alienated by the current party direction.

"The real choice will happen in November," Andrews said. "People can choose a pediatrician instead of yet another career politician who represents everything that's broken in Washington, DC."

In Georgia's 13th District, voters selected between two Democrats to fill the late Rep. David Scott's seat: his daughter, Marcye Scott, and former Gwinnett County School Board Chair Everton Blair. Both advanced from a special election in July.

Marcye Scott, a computer science consultant, campaigned to continue her father's work but faced scrutiny over his long tenure amid health concerns.

Trump also endorsed former state Sen. Mike Mazzei in Oklahoma's GOP runoff for governor, where Mazzei finished just behind Attorney General Gentner Drummond in the first round. The GOP and Democratic runoffs in Oklahoma were also closely watched for signs of Trump's sway in the party.

Polls in South Carolina and Georgia closed at 7 p.m. ET, with Oklahoma polls closing an hour later. Vote counting in South Carolina's Senate runoff was expected to be slower, while Georgia's Democratic runoff results were anticipated to come in more quickly.