President Donald Trump is campaigning for Darline Graham in South Carolina on August 21, backing the Republican Senate candidate days before her August 25 runoff against Ralph Norman.
Trump’s rally in Myrtle Beach comes ahead of the Republican runoff on August 25. Graham faces U.S. Representative Ralph Norman after the two finished first and second in the August 11 primary.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What happened | Donald Trump is campaigning for Darline Graham. |
| Where | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina |
| When | August 21, 2026 |
| Who is involved | Donald Trump, Darline Graham and Ralph Norman |
| Current status | Graham and Norman are competing in the Republican runoff. |
| Why it matters | The race will test Trump's influence among South Carolina Republicans. |
Trump Backs Darline Graham Senate Bid
Trump will appear at an evening rally at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. His support comes as Graham faces a closely watched Republican runoff.
Graham entered the race after South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed her to complete the Senate term of her late brother, Lindsey Graham.
The former senator died last month after a heart ailment. He had been a strong supporter of Trump and a prominent voice on U.S. foreign policy.
Darline Graham is now seeking a full six year Senate term in the November congressional elections.
Graham Leads Republican Senate Primary
Graham and Norman were among 10 Republicans who competed in the August 11 primary.
Graham received 32.8% of the vote, while Norman received 24.6%. Neither candidate secured enough support to avoid a runoff.
The winner of the August 25 Republican runoff will face Democrat Annie Andrews in November.
Andrews is a pediatrician. Her campaign had more than $4.1 million in funds at the end of June, according to the information provided.
Republicans remain favored to hold the South Carolina Senate seat. Trump won the state by nearly 18 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election.
Darline Graham Faces Questions Over National Security
Graham faced criticism after a debate with Norman earlier this week.
During the debate, she was asked whether Taiwan and the South China Sea are national security issues for the United States.
Graham responded:
“I’m just going to be honest here. I’m not that informed on national security.”
She then added:
“National security is not my thing.”
Her comments drew criticism from former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who supports Norman.
“Lindsey Graham was well informed on the United States’ national security. Darline Graham admits she’s not. This is not something you inherit. And it’s critical in the U.S. Senate,” Haley said on X.
Graham later defended her answer during an interview with News.
“I don’t speak politician. I was just honest. And I think that’s kind of a foreign concept,” she said.
She argued that voters in South Carolina are more focused on issues such as the cost of living, transgender issues, gun rights and immigration.
Darline Graham, 62, previously worked in services for people with disabilities. She had no previous political career before McMaster appointed her to the Senate seat.
Ralph Norman, 73, has spent nearly a decade in the U.S. House of Representatives. He previously ran for governor but finished third in the Republican primary in June.
Trump’s endorsement helped Graham lead Norman in the August primary. Still, her failure to win a majority forced the race into a runoff.
Some South Carolina Republicans have criticized Trump’s support for Graham. They argue that the endorsement could look like an effort to place her directly into the Senate seat.
Why Trump’s Support Matters in South Carolina
The South Carolina Senate race offers a test of Trump’s influence inside the Republican Party.
The state remains strongly Republican. That gives the Republican nominee a major advantage in the November election.
The runoff will show whether Trump’s backing can help Graham overcome those concerns and secure the Republican nomination.
What Happens Next for Darline Graham
Trump will campaign for Graham at the Myrtle Beach rally on August 21.
Graham and Norman will face Republican voters again on August 25.
The winner will advance to the November election against Democrat Annie Andrews. Control of both chambers of Congress will also be at stake during the November midterm elections.
Trump’s support has placed Darline Graham at the center of a closely watched Republican Senate race in South Carolina.
Her runoff against Ralph Norman will show how much influence Trump’s endorsement carries in the state and whether Graham can turn that support into a Republican nomination.
