South Carolina Republicans Have Their Senate Nominee Following Lindsey Graham’s Sudden Death

Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., has won the special runoff for South Carolina’s Republican Senate nomination, according to Decision Desk HQ.

The senator, who was appointed by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster to replace her late brother, former Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., in July, clinched the nomination by securing just over 53% of the vote when Decision Desk made the call on Tuesday night at 8:38 p.m. eastern time. Graham faced Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., who had received over 46% when the race was called.

The final Trafalgar poll released late Monday night showed the two contenders in a dead heat, with Graham at 47.9% support and Norman at 47.8%.

Throughout the race, Graham campaigned alongside President Donald Trump. The president helped Graham with the last push by hosting a rally on Aug. 21 in Myrtle Beach.

Trump said the senator will “defend common sense in our nation’s capital” if elected to the 120th Congress.

“She’ll fight for lower taxes, bigger paychecks, and no amnesty for illegal aliens. And she’ll always protect your Second Amendment, the right to keep and bear arms,” Trump added.

Graham also landed McMaster’s endorsement. He claimed that since she took office, the senator has “stood for the values that South Carolinians live by, continued Lindsey Graham’s work, and stood firmly with President Trump to advance his America First agenda.”

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., also backed Graham and joined the president and Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., for the rally.

Most notably, however, Graham managed to land endorsements from major pro-life organizations, such as National Right to Life, South Carolina Citizens for Life Federal PAC, and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, despite her disputed record on the issue.

In a statement to the Daily Signal, Randy Page, a former board member of South Carolina Citizens for Life who resigned after the organization endorsed Graham, stated that the decision to endorse her wasn’t a decision “made in South Carolina.”

“Decisions regarding federal candidates are made in Washington, D.C.,” Page said. “Pro-life voters expect pro-life organizations to endorse principled, pro-life candidates who have a legislative record promoting and supporting pro-life policies.”

Page called the endorsements “unfortunate,” adding that Norman’s “solid record” and “100% ratings” from the NRLC should have landed him the endorsement instead.

“These decisions are baffling to rank-and-file pro-life voters throughout South Carolina,” Page concluded.

Norman has received the endorsements of Sens. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and Mike Lee, R-Utah., as well as House Freedom Caucus members such as Reps. Mark Harris, R-N.C., and Keith Self, R-Texas. He also has been backed by former South Carolina Govs. Nikki Haley and Mark Sanford.

During the campaign, both candidates made voter-integrity legislation known as the SAVE America Act a key focus for rallying voters.

“Get back to Washington and pass the SAVE America Act,” Norman, calling on the Senate to return from August recess to pass the legislation, said last week.

During the Friday night rally, Graham also expressed support for the legislation.

“President Trump is 100% correct. The SAVE America Act is the top priority,” Graham said. “I will stay here as long as necessary to get it passed and signed into law.”

Graham will face Democrat nominee Annie Andrews, a pediatrician by trade. in November.