South Carolina Republicans Vote in Senate Runoff for Lindsey Graham's Seat
CenterRigor 5528 sources
The Story
South Carolina Republicans will decide Tuesday who will replace Sen. Lindsey Graham on the ballot in November's midterm election. The runoff election pits Sen. Darline Graham against Rep. Ralph Norman. Darline Graham was appointed to serve the remainder of her late brother's term, which ends early next year, after his sudden death in July. Darline Graham and Ralph Norman were the top two vote-getters in the special primary election on August 11, with Graham receiving nearly 33% of the vote and Norman almost 25%, as neither candidate won 50%. President Trump has endorsed Darline Graham, campaigning for her in South Carolina last week and holding a tele-rally on Monday. Darline Graham, 62, most recently served as commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and has focused on domestic issues during her brief campaign. During a debate last week, Graham conceded inexperience, stumbling on a question about Taiwan and the South China Sea, stating, "I'm not that informed on national security." Trump praised her for being honest in response. Darline Graham also has the support of South Carolina's other senator, GOP Sen. Tim Scott. The winner of Tuesday's runoff will face Dr. Annie Andrews, who won the Democratic primary in June. South Carolina is a solidly Republican state with just one Democratic representative in Congress. Trump's super PAC, MAGA Inc., spent over $827,000 to support Darline Graham ahead of the runoff. Darline Graham declined to answer a question about agreeing with her brother's acceptance of the 2020 presidential election results, stating, "I think our election system is broken." Her late brother, Lindsey Graham, had accepted the 2020 election results.
The Spread
Divergent
What they agree on
- South Carolina Republicans are voting in a Senate runoff election on Tuesday.
- The runoff is between Sen. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman.
- Darline Graham was appointed to fill the remainder of her late brother Lindsey Graham's Senate term.
- President Trump has endorsed Darline Graham and campaigned for her.
- Darline Graham and Ralph Norman advanced to the runoff after neither secured 50% of the vote in the August 11 special primary.
Where they split
- The Atlantic and CBS News provide extensive background on Darline Graham's "sister's succession" and her political inexperience, including her debate performance.
- Fox News and Politico emphasize the South Carolina runoff as a key test of President Trump's endorsement power.
- The Daily Beast focuses on Darline Graham's refusal to clarify her stance on the 2020 presidential election results and her discomfort with being recorded.
- PBS NewsHour includes analysis from NPR's Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on Trump's midterm strategy in the context of the South Carolina runoff.
Source Perspectives
Left9 sources
Center15 sources