2026 South Carolina Senate race
One page that accretes the verified record as the story develops. Every fact keeps its date and its sources.
Lindsey Graham's sister wins Republican Senate primary
Democratic Congressman David Scott died in April.
Marcye Scott was beaten by opponent Everton Blair.
Darline Graham received strong backing from President Donald Trump, who travelled to the state to campaign for her.
Darline Graham wins South Carolina GOP nomination for US Senate
The last Democrat to win a statewide race in South Carolina was state superintendent Jim Rex in 2006.
Lindsey Graham won the party's primary in June and died the next month.
Graham received 52.4% of the vote and Norman received 47.6%.
Lindsey Graham's sister runs for his US Senate seat
Darline Graham is Lindsey Graham's sister.
Darline Graham was chosen as the Republican nominee for Lindsey Graham's former US Senate seat in November's midterm elections.
President Trump supported Darline Graham.
South Carolina Republicans nominate Darline Graham for US Senate
Graham said she passed the Russia and Iran Sanctions Act through the Senate within two weeks of arriving in Washington.
Graham said she cast the deciding vote to confirm Todd Blanche as President Trump's attorney general.
Darline Graham was appointed by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster.
“I asked her to do this. I said, ‘Darline, you got to do it,’ because everyone loves her. Everyone respects her.”
Trump endorses Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina amid primary losses
Rep. Randy Feenstra lost to Zach Lahn in Iowa's GOP gubernatorial primary despite Trump's support.
Ten Trump-endorsed candidates have lost their races this election cycle, equal to the total number of Trump-backed candidates who lost in 2018, 2020 and 2024 primaries combined, according to a CNN analysis.
The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter labels the race 'Solid R.'
“I’m not … that informed on national security.”
Darline Graham and Ralph Norman head to South Carolina Senate runoff
South Carolina state law required a fresh election to replace Lindsey Graham on the November ballot because he had already won the Republican primary.
Lindsey Graham had built a reputation as a foreign policy hawk who championed the US war against Iran and rallied support for Ukraine.
Darline Graham said in a debate that military stuff "is not my thing."
“So what I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot. Just come and vote. It’s so important,”
Senator Tim Scott Defends Darline Graham Over National Security Remarks
Darline Graham stated during a debate that she is not informed on national security.
Tim Scott said in an interview on NBC's Meet the Press that Darline Graham has an understanding of national security issues.
Darline Graham struggled to answer a question about US national security interests in Taiwan and the South China Sea during a debate.
“The question we’re asking ourselves today is whether or not she is prepared to serve in the United States Senate and represent the people of South Carolina on the issues that are germane to the moment, with all the issues of the moment,”
Pete Buttigieg South Carolina campaign stop
Pete Buttigieg visited South Carolina on his first trip since leaving the Biden administration.
Gavin Newsom's spokesperson Izzy Gardon criticized Buttigieg for his long absence from South Carolina.
Buttigieg said he still supported legislation to create a commission to study reparations.
“He has name recognition, he’s no longer introducing himself. I think people generally like Pete, and that’s a big deal in an open race because he starts out at a plus. But as we look at his economic agenda, just for the average South Carolinian, with emphasis on the African American community … and the political infrastructure he has deployed in our state, there will be questions with respect to those issues.”
Tim Scott endorses Darline Graham after debate flub
Paxton was investigated by the Justice Department for allegedly abusing his office to aid a political donor.
Paxton was acquitted in a state Senate trial following his impeachment.
Trump and Scott rallied in South Carolina in support of Graham's campaign on Friday.
Trump endorses Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina GOP primary
Ralph Norman has been a member of the U.S. House of Representatives since 2017.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster officially endorsed Darline Graham hours prior to the Myrtle Beach rally.
Donald Trump gave Darline Graham his complete and total endorsement and encouraged her to run.
“So what I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot. Just come and vote. It’s so important,”
GOP Senate contest dynamics surrounding Darline Graham
Some devoted supporters of President Donald Trump are hesitant to support Sen. Darline Graham for a six-year Senate term.
Darline Graham's national security stumble highlights break from late brother
Trump is scheduled to rally for Graham in Myrtle Beach on Friday before the GOP runoff on Tuesday.
Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts called Graham's answer embarrassing and inexcusable.
Norman said South Carolinians cannot afford a grace period for on-the-job training while China buys up farmland near military installations and sends spy balloons over the state.
“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,”
Lindsey Graham's sister and fill-in senator says she's not informed on national security
“is not that informed on national security.”
Washington says goodbye to Sen. Lindsey Graham
Darline Graham is running for a full term in an Aug. 11 primary, backed by Trump.
Graham's only sibling, Darline Graham, was appointed to replace him in the Senate.
Sen. Ron Johnson succeeded Graham as Budget Committee chairman.
“For more than 30 years, nothing of consequence happened in this capital without Lindsey Graham knowing about it. Nothing of significance happened anywhere in the world without Lindsey Graham having a view on it, and no bill became law in the most exceptional republic in human history without Lindsey Graham having a say in it.”
Rep. Ralph Norman launches campaign for Lindsey Graham's Senate seat
Darline Graham was sworn into the Senate after being appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster to serve out the rest of Lindsey Graham's term.
Businessman Mark Lynch lost to Lindsey Graham in the original primary election in June and plans to reactivate his campaign for the special primary.
Sen. Lindsey Graham died suddenly the weekend before the announcement.
Darline Graham in serious discussions about running for Lindsey Graham's Senate seat
Tim Scott chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
Darline Graham is 62 years old.
Lindsey Graham had served in the Senate since 2003.