Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who heads the Senate GOP's campaign arm, threw his support behind Darline Graham on Wednesday in the South Carolina Republican primary runoff for the seat once held by her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham.
In a post on X, Scott said he had already cast his ballot for Graham in Tuesday's primary and would do so again in the Aug. 25 runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.). “I’m proud to endorse Darline Graham for the U.S. Senate, and I encourage South Carolina Republicans across our state to join me in voting for her in the runoff,” he wrote.
Scott’s endorsement adds to a growing list of high-profile backers for Graham, who also has the support of former President Trump. The NRSC chair’s decision to wade into the intraparty contest underscores the stakes for Senate Republicans as they look to defend a seat that has been in GOP hands for decades.
In Tuesday’s primary, Graham led the field with 32.7 percent of the vote, while Norman secured 24.6 percent, setting up the runoff. Rep. Russell Fry (R-S.C.) trailed with 19.6 percent, and former Gov. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) took 14.9 percent. The crowded race drew national attention, particularly after Lindsey Graham’s sudden death last month.
Scott praised Graham’s performance and her approach to the campaign. “After watching Darline Graham in the Senate and on the campaign trail, I’m confident she’s the real deal. Her first-place finish last night was remarkable, but not surprising. She is a conservative stalwart, a hard worker, and represents our beloved state with class, humility, and dignity,” he said.
He also sought to frame her as more than just Lindsey Graham’s sister. “I know she is making her brother proud, but Darline has already proven to be her own person: focused on pocketbook issues, defending our South Carolina values, and delivering for the people she represents. Her priorities are our priorities,” Scott added.
Graham has leaned heavily on Trump’s endorsement, which the former president reiterated during a tele-rally just before the primary. “She has my complete and total endorsement, has right from the beginning. She fully supports the Trump agenda and will help us achieve our mission,” Trump said on the call. He also praised her toughness, saying, “She’s tough. She looks so nice, but she’s actually tough. She’s strong, and she’s the perfect person to carry on Lindsey’s legacy.”
The runoff will test whether Graham’s establishment backing and Trump’s imprimatur can overcome Norman’s appeal to grassroots conservatives. Norman, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, has positioned himself as a staunch fiscal conservative and has criticized Graham as an extension of the political establishment.
Scott’s involvement as NRSC chair signals that national Republicans see Graham as the stronger general election candidate, though the state’s GOP primary electorate will have the final say. The winner will face Democratic nominee Catherine Fleming Bruce in November, though the seat is considered safely Republican.
Political observers note that Scott’s endorsement could carry significant weight, particularly given his own standing in South Carolina and his role in Senate GOP campaign strategy. His decision to publicly back Graham may also encourage other senators and donors to rally behind her campaign in the weeks ahead.
For more on the broader context of the race, see our earlier breakdown of the primary field and the dynamics at play. Additionally, the recent renaming of a Charleston base after Lindsey Graham highlights the late senator’s legacy, which Darline Graham has sought to honor while carving out her own path.
