What to know about South Carolina’s election to replace Lindsey Graham

Key Points:

• South Carolina Republicans will hold a special primary election on Tuesday to choose a candidate to replace the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who died unexpectedly on July 11 from cardiovascular disease.
• Ten candidates are running, including Graham’s sister Darline Graham, who was appointed to finish his current term, businessman Mark Lynch, two current Congress members Russell Fry and Ralph Norman, and former Governor Mark Sanford.
• Darline Graham currently leads the race with 30.4% support in recent polls, followed by Ralph Norman (17.5%) and Russell Fry (16.6%), while she is viewed as a continuity candidate aligned with her late brother’s platform.
• The Republican nominee will face Democrat Annie Andrews in the November midterms; Andrews, a pediatrician and strong fundraiser, is campaigning on a platform of change and has criticized Republican leadership over a recent measles outbreak.
• Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to fill Lindsey Graham’s seat temporarily, making her the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate, and former President Trump’s endorsement may boost her chances despite her lack of legislative experience.