Lindsey Graham’s sister is headed to a runoff after falling short of the threshold needed to secure a full term in the U.S. Senate, despite receiving Donald Trump’s backing.
Darline Graham Nordone, 62, entered her first political race after her brother’s sudden death last month left his South Carolina Senate seat open. In a crowded Republican field filled with seasoned political figures, she finished first with 32.56 percent of the vote.
Her runoff opponent will be Congressman Ralph Norman, who placed second with 24.38 percent.
The Republican primary runoff is scheduled for August 25.
Graham died on July 12 at age 71 from an aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
His unexpected death stunned the Senate after two decades in office. During his career, Graham became widely known as a powerful voice on U.S. foreign policy, strongly supporting Trump’s Iran war and Western aid for Ukraine.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline to serve the remainder of Lindsey’s Senate term through January 2027, though many initially believed she would act only as a temporary placeholder and would not pursue the seat herself.
That changed after Trump said in a Truth Social post last month that he had personally urged Darline, during a White House visit, to run in the Republican special primary. He described her as “a spectacular person” and “a true American patriot.”
Senator Darline Graham was the top vote getter in Tuesday’s special primary election to fill her late brother Lindsey Graham’s unexpected death last month after being appointed to serve the remainder of his term
Congressman Ralph Norman has advanced into the run off elected alongside Darline Graham
Senator Darline Graham Nordone interacted with President Trump at the conclusion of the funeral service for the late Senator Lindsey Graham at the Washington National Cathedral on July 28, 2026
Darline joined her brother Lindsey on the campaign trail during his presidential run in 2015
‘I asked Darline, for the good of our nation, to run for the U.S. Senate,’ Trump wrote before ending his message with the emphatic rallying cry: ‘RUN, DARLINE, RUN!’
Trump then gave Darline his ‘complete and total endorsement’ after she decided to enter the race, saying there would be ‘nobody better’ to honor her brother’s legacy.
On Tuesday, Darline faced off in a crowded GOP primary field that included two current members of the US House of Representatives in Ralph Norman and Russell Fry.
The field also included former Governor and presidential candidate Mark Sanford and businessman Mark Lynch, who ran against Lindsey in the primary election earlier this summer.
Darline has tried to set herself apart from her primary opponents, framing herself as a public servant, not a politician.
She has touted Trump’s endorsement on the campaign trail, as well as traditional GOP values.
Her policy contributions have been slight as she has had to mourn the loss of her brother, govern, and run for his seat, all unexpectedly in the last month.
Lindsey and Darline enjoyed a close relationship. He adopted her at the age of 22 when she was just 13, after the passing of both of their parents.
She has never served in elected office before but has supported her brother’s political career by attending campaign events and appearing in campaign ads.
Before being thrust into politics Darline’s career was focused on disability services and workforce development, serving as a commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind.
Lindsey and Darline grew up sharing a single room behind the Sanitary Cafe, the bar, pool hall, and liquor store their parents ran on Main Street in the small town of Central, South Carolina.
Lindsey won his 2020 reelection race with 54 percent of the vote. Trump got 58 percent of the vote statewide in his 2024 campaign. Annie Andrews, a doctor, won the Democratic primary for South Carolina’s US Senate seat in June.
