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A candidate so bad it could put a red-state Senate seat in play
Daily Kos • • nation
Key Points:
- President Donald Trump endorsed Darline Graham in South Carolina’s special Republican primary to replace her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, despite her limited qualifications and poor debate performance.
- Trump’s endorsement and a $827,000 super PAC spend helped Graham narrowly defeat GOP Rep. Ralph Norman in the runoff by under 5 points, signaling potential vulnerability in the general election.
- A recent poll shows Democratic nominee Annie Andrews leading Graham 42% to 39%, with Graham holding a 28% favorable rating versus 50% unfavorable among likely voters in a state Trump won by 18 points in 2024.
- Ralph Norman has refused to endorse Graham, criticizing Trump’s financial backing and encouraging undecided voters to support him instead, highlighting divisions within the GOP.
- Despite South Carolina’s long history of Republican Senate victories and Andrews’ modest polling, the 2026 political climate and GOP infighting may create a challenging race for Graham.
