Senator Darline Graham, who was appointed last month to complete her late brother’s term and then decided to run for a full six years to succeed him, made the special Republican primary runoff for Senate in South Carolina on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press.
Ms. Graham did not win the special primary outright, despite having President Trump’s endorsement, as she said on Tuesday morning that she expected in the crowded race. Her runoff opponent was still too close to call. The four other main Republicans running were Representative Russell Fry, Representative Ralph Norman, former Gov. Mark Sanford and Mark Lynch, a businessman. The runoff will be held on Aug. 25.
Mr. Trump held a telephone rally for Ms. Graham ahead of the election on Monday night, saying she stepped up “with tremendous poise and conviction” after her older brother’s death. “She looks so nice, but she’s actually tough and strong,” he said on the call.
Ms. Graham, 62, is a longtime advocate for disability rights, having served most recently as commissioner of a state agency for blind residents.
Mr. Trump’s endorsement in the primary for South Carolina governor in June failed to get his first choice elected. Pamela Evette, the state’s lieutenant governor, made the runoff but then lost after facing criticism for relying so heavily on his endorsement that she appeared to campaign on little else.