Trump's Endorsement on the Line in South Carolina Senate Runoff as Graham Faces Norman

President Donald Trump is once again putting his political capital on the line in a Republican primary, this time backing Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina's closely watched Senate runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman. With polls closed at 7 p.m. ET, the outcome will test whether Trump's endorsement still carries the weight it once did among GOP voters, especially after a string of recent primary upsets.

Graham, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, was appointed to the seat by Gov. Henry McMaster at Trump's behest. She is seeking to become the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from South Carolina, but her political inexperience has become a central issue in the race.

Why This Race Matters for Trump's Influence

Trump campaigned in Myrtle Beach last week on Graham's behalf, calling it “the easiest race that I've ever seen” and praising her as “a great candidate.” However, the president's endorsement record has taken hits recently, with GOP voters rejecting his picks in gubernatorial primaries in Minnesota, Iowa, and Georgia, as well as in Florida House races.

Graham's vulnerability was exposed during an Aug. 18 debate when she admitted she is “not that informed on national security” after being asked about Taiwan and the South China Sea. Political experts say the gaffe highlighted her inexperience compared with Norman, a seasoned congressman with a 100% conservative voting record.

MAGA Inc. Spends Big to Boost Graham

Trump's super PAC, MAGA Inc., made a rare move by spending roughly $830,000 on phone banking and text alerts to support Graham in the final days of the race. The super PAC, which has raised more than $403 million, has largely stayed out of other primary contests this year, making this expenditure a clear signal of how much the administration has invested in her victory.

James Blair, a former White House aide who now runs MAGA Inc., told former press secretary Sean Spicer in June: “The president is going to expend substantial resources to win the midterms. He cares deeply about the party winning and anything he can do to support that he's going to do.”

Poll Shows a Toss-Up Race

A tracking poll from the Trafalgar Group shows Graham and Norman in a virtual tie at nearly 48% each. The poll of 1,027 registered voters, conducted Aug. 22-24, has a margin of error of 2.9 percentage points. Two weeks ago, Graham led Norman by a wider margin, but the race has tightened since her debate gaffe.

Danielle Vinson, a politics and international affairs professor at Furman University, told USA TODAY: “I honestly have no real clue what's going to happen. Can (Graham) win the sentimentality vote and her loyalty to Trump carry her, or will voters want something different? This race is definitely a toss-up for sure.”

Norman Gains Key Endorsements

Rep. Nancy Mace, who has distanced herself from Trump over her push to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, endorsed Norman on Tuesday. “It's been nearly twenty years since South Carolina has had an open U.S. Senate seat. Today, we don't crown a leader. We elect one,” she wrote on social media. “Ralph Norman is the only candidate with a 100% conservative voting record. He is tried and true. He never backs down.”

Mace's endorsement is notable given her own primary battle with Trump-backed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in the gubernatorial race.

Graham Confident After Casting Her Vote

Speaking to reporters after voting in Lexington, South Carolina, Graham said she was “looking forward” to the results and “confident” she would win the nomination. The race comes as the U.S. war in Iran nears its six-month mark, adding another layer of significance to the national security questions that have dogged her campaign.

Other Races to Watch

In Oklahoma, GOP voters are heading to the polls in a gubernatorial runoff between Attorney General Gentner Drummond and Trump-backed former state lawmaker Mike Mazzei. The winner will face Democrat Cyndi Munson in November.

In Georgia, a special election runoff is underway to replace the late Rep. David Scott, a Democrat who died in April. His daughter, Marcye Scott, is facing former Gwinnett County School Board Chairman Everton Blair to finish the remainder of his term.

The Department of Justice is monitoring polls in Charleston County, South Carolina, as part of routine election oversight that has occurred under both Democratic and Republican administrations.

What's at Stake for Iowa Voters

While this race is in South Carolina, the outcome carries national implications. Trump's endorsement power has been a defining feature of Republican primaries, and a loss here could embolden challengers in other states. For Iowa conservatives, the race is a reminder of the importance of backing candidates who are both loyal to the America First agenda and prepared to handle the serious national security challenges facing the nation.