The race to replace Lindsey Graham gets UGLY as his sister Darline comes up short... triggering a runoff

By VICTORIA CHURCHILL, US POLITICAL REPORTER Published: 02:00, 12 August 2026 | Updated: 02:28, 12 August 2026 Lindsey Graham's sister will face a runoff race after coming up short to serve a full term in the US Senate despite Donald Trump's endorsement. Darline Graham Nordone, 62, whose brother died suddenly last month, leaving his South Carolina seat vacant, garnered 32.56 percent of the vote in her debut political contest in a crowded field of political veterans. She will face off against Congressman Ralph Norman, who came in second place with 24.38 percent of the vote.  The primary runoff election will take place on August 25. Graham died of an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease on July 12 aged 71. His sudden death sent shockwaves through the Senate after two decades of service, where he gained international recognition as an influential driver of US foreign policy who fervently backed Trump's Iran war, as well as the West's support for Ukraine.    Darline was appointed by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to fill the remainder of Lindsey's Senate term until January of 2027, but many expected her to fill the seat on a temporary basis and not seek a full term.  However, in a Truth Social post last month, Trump revealed that he personally asked Darline during a visit to the White House to enter the Republican special primary, calling her '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.