Senator Lindsey Graham has secured the Republican nomination for his reelection bid in South Carolina, with strong backing from President Donald Trump helping him avoid a runoff in a closely watched primary election.
The results mark a major win for Graham, who has served in the US Senate since 2003 and in Congress since 1995. Despite years of criticism from some grassroots conservative activists, he won more than 50 percent of the vote, allowing him to clinch the nomination outright without needing a second-round contest.
Graham’s victory came in a competitive Republican primary field that included several challengers. The most notable opponent, Mark Lynch, had raised questions about whether Graham could reach the threshold needed to avoid a runoff. However, Trump’s endorsement and active support appeared to strengthen Graham’s position throughout the campaign.
President Trump played a central role in the final days of the race, holding a tele-rally in support of Graham and other endorsed candidates. He urged voters not to create uncertainty in the election, emphasizing party unity and turnout. Graham has long maintained a close working relationship with Trump, and the former president’s support was seen as a key factor in securing his nomination.
Graham has faced ongoing criticism from segments of the Republican base, particularly from voters aligned with the more populist wing of the party. Some activists have accused him of taking more traditional foreign policy positions and being out of step with the MAGA movement. Despite this, he has remained a strong figure within the party establishment and retained Trump’s backing in South Carolina.
The South Carolina primary also featured high-stakes contests beyond the Senate race, including a crowded Republican gubernatorial field. Trump-endorsed candidate and Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette emerged as the frontrunner but failed to reach the majority needed to avoid a runoff election.
Evette will now face state Attorney General Alan Wilson in a runoff scheduled for June 23. Wilson is the son of longtime US Representative Joe Wilson and finished second in the primary. Both candidates advanced after a tightly contested race that included several prominent Republican figures.
The governor’s race also saw the end of campaigns by two sitting Republican members of Congress, Representative Nancy Mace and Representative Ralph Norman. Both lawmakers gave up their House seats to run for governor but failed to advance past the primary stage.
Evette entered the race with strong endorsements, including support from President Trump and outgoing Governor Henry McMaster, who is term-limited. Her campaign emphasized continuity with the current Republican leadership in the state and alignment with Trump’s political agenda.
Nancy Mace, who had previously shifted her political positioning toward stronger support for Trump after earlier criticism of him, conceded defeat on election night and later endorsed Alan Wilson. Her loss marked a significant setback in her statewide ambitions.
Ralph Norman, once considered a strong Trump ally during the former president’s first term, also fell short after losing support from Trump following his endorsement of former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley in the 2024 presidential race.
The results reflect the continued influence of Donald Trump in Republican primary politics, particularly in South Carolina, where his endorsements remain highly impactful. His support helped shape outcomes in both the Senate and governor’s races, reinforcing his role as a central figure in GOP candidate selection.
South Carolina voters also participated in several other congressional and local primary contests on Tuesday, but the Senate and governor races dominated attention due to their national political implications.
With Graham now officially set for the general election and the governor’s race heading to a runoff, South Carolina remains a key battleground in shaping the direction of Republican politics ahead of the next national election cycle.
