Trump’s endorsement puts Darline Graham in the spotlight ahead of the Aug. 25 runoff, while Republican Rep. Ralph Norman seeks to capitalize on concerns over her national security credentials and present himself as the Washington outsider in the race
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — President Donald Trump joined Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) on the campaign trail on Aug. 21 as Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), an erstwhile ally of the president, seeks to pull off an upset from the right.
Graham, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), has served as South Carolina’s junior senator since being appointed to the post in mid-July following her brother’s death.
The late senator had already won the June 9 primary when he died suddenly from a cardiac illness, prompting the state to hold a special primary election scheduled for Aug. 25.
In the first round of voting on Aug. 11, Darline Graham and Norman won the largest shares of the vote, but neither secured more than 50 percent, sending the race to a runoff.
Graham, who was endorsed by Trump, finished first with 32.8 percent of the vote.
However, she has come under scrutiny this week following a debate performance in which she stated that “national security is not my thing.”
Norman, the upstate Republican representing South Carolina’s 7th Congressional District, finished second with 23.5 percent of the vote.
Responding to Graham’s admission during the debate that she was not well-informed on national security, Norman said, “This isn’t a get training on the job, you can’t do that.”
Graham’s comment also drew criticism from former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who said that national security expertise “is not something you inherit.”
Throughout his political career, Lindsey Graham—who represented a state with one of the nation’s largest populations of veterans and military families—was well known for his emphasis on foreign policy and national security.
Norman, who has often made headlines for clashing with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and other Republican leaders, has positioned his lack of an endorsement from Trump as an advantage for his campaign.
He has portrayed himself as a Washington outsider, noting that he has not secured critical Republican endorsements or funding in the race.
Jeffrey, an Uber driver in the area who spoke with The Epoch Times, indicated that he had heard more enthusiasm for Norman.
“I’m not sure she’s the right fit,” he said of Graham.
He spoke positively about Norman’s experience as a lawmaker, saying he believed the upstate Republican was more qualified.
Rep. Russell Fry (R-S.C.), a Myrtle Beach-based House lawmaker who has closely allied himself with Trump, finished third in the Aug. 11 primary. Fry received 20.4 percent of the vote and has since endorsed Graham.
Former South Carolina governor and U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.), a constitutionalist based in the Charleston area, finished fourth with 15.3 percent of the vote.
An outspoken critic of Trump, Sanford has endorsed Norman for the nomination.
