President Trump has invested significant political capital to help political newcomer Darline Graham defeat Rep. Ralph Norman in a South Carolina GOP Senate primary runoff.
Key facts
- •President Trump’s super PAC, MAGA Inc., spent $827,000 on text messages and phone calls for Darline Graham.
- •Darline Graham was a political novice before being appointed to her late brother's Senate seat in July.
- •Outside groups supporting Graham have spent more than $6 million on the race, according to AdImpact.
- •Rep. Ralph Norman has received over $700,000 in support from groups aligned with Nikki Haley.
- •The primary runoff is scheduled for Tuesday to determine who will appear on the November ballot.
President Trump is heavily invested in the South Carolina GOP Senate primary runoff between Sen. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman. The president has held an in-person rally for Graham and directed his MAGA Inc. super PAC to spend $827,000 on her behalf. The race, which concludes Tuesday, is viewed as a test of Trump's influence, as he has personally urged voters to treat the contest as a referendum on his own leadership.
By the numbers
A High-Stakes Political Investment
Trump’s involvement in the race is unusually deep, with the president pushing Graham to run for a full term and providing significant financial backing. While the outcome will not shift the balance of power in Washington, it is seen as a measure of Trump's ability to boost an inexperienced candidate. Graham, who was appointed to her seat in July to serve the remainder of her late brother’s term, had never held public office prior to this appointment.
Campaign Dynamics and Outside Spending
The race has been marked by sharp contrasts in experience and support. While Graham has received backing from the South Carolina GOP establishment, including Sen. Tim Scott and Gov. Henry McMaster, she has faced criticism for her lack of political experience, notably after a debate comment regarding national security. Outside groups supporting Graham have spent over $6 million, while groups aligned with former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley have spent more than $700,000 to support Norman.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Politico.
