What to know about South Carolina’s election to replace Lindsey Graham | Politics News
Republicans Prepare for Special Primary Election to Succeed Late Senator Lindsey Graham
South Carolina Republicans are set to vote Tuesday in a special primary election to determine who will represent the state in the U.S. Senate following the death of Senator Lindsey Graham. Graham, who passed away unexpectedly from cardiovascular disease on July 11, served in the Senate for 23 years.
The upcoming vote comes less than five weeks after Graham’s death, a loss that has reshaped the political landscape in the state. During his tenure, Graham developed a reputation as a strong advocate for military intervention in foreign conflicts and was a close ally of former President Donald Trump. He won the Republican primary on June 9 with considerable support.
A wide array of candidates is vying to succeed Graham, including his sister, Darline Graham, who has been appointed to complete her brother’s current Senate term, ending in January. Businessman Mark Lynch, who finished second in the June primary, is also in the race, alongside sitting Congress members Russell Fry and Ralph Norman, former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, and several others.
The list of contenders includes lawyer Duke Buckner, biomedical engineer Samuel Shepherd, former Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark McBride, retired Air Force officer Glenda Gail Parker, and farmer Danny Lee Ford II.
Polls in South Carolina will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time. The special election process was triggered by Graham’s death, and under state law, a special contest must be held when a candidate vacates their position. Candidates may officially enter the race starting the second Tuesday following the vacancy, with a one-week filing period.
Currently, Darline Graham is leading in the race. Recent polling data from Quantus Insights indicates she has garnered 30.4% of the vote, well ahead of her nearest rival, Ralph Norman, at 17.5%, and Russell Fry, at 16.6%. Former Governor Mark Sanford follows with 15.4%.
As for who currently holds Graham’s Senate seat, South Carolina law allows the governor to appoint a replacement. Outgoing Governor Henry McMaster, a Republican, selected Darline Graham on July 13, two days after her brother’s passing. She is the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate and is expected to uphold her brother’s political legacy. Previously, she served as a public administrator.
Looking ahead to the November midterm elections, experts suggest a Republican is favored to win the Senate seat in this predominantly conservative state. However, Graham’s death has provided Democrats with a potential advantage. Darline Graham’s endorsement from Trump may have bolstered her appeal among Republican voters, although her lack of prior legislative experience might render her vulnerable in the general election.
On the Democratic side, candidate Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, has demonstrated strong fundraising abilities and intends to leverage public health issues, including a recent measles outbreak in the state, to critique Republican leadership. Andrews asserts that voters in South Carolina are seeking new perspectives, framing her campaign as representative of a generational shift in leadership.
