President Donald Trump endorsed Senator Darline Graham during a campaign event in South Carolina. On Friday, August 21, 2026, at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Trump praised Graham’s commitment to affordability and military support ahead of the GOP state primary.
Graham aims to succeed her late brother, Lindsey Graham. She expressed gratitude to Trump for his support.
The polls have closed in Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Georgia as Trump’s influence in the GOP and his power in Republican primaries are tested. Trump supports Graham in the South Carolina Senate nomination runoff. Graham is running to replace her late brother, GOP Senator Lindsey Graham, who unexpectedly passed away this summer.
Trump also backs Mike Mazzei, a former state budget secretary in Oklahoma, for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. Oklahoma’s GOP Governor Kevin Stitt is term-limited, setting the stage for a competitive race.
In South Carolina, Graham competes against conservative Representative Ralph Norman. The winner will become the Republican Senate nominee on the midterm ballot in the reliably red state.
“We need every South Carolina patriot to go to the polls and vote for Darline Graham,” Trump said at the rally. “Pretend I’m on the ballot and vote.”
Graham has strong support, including endorsements from South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, Representative Russell Fry, and Senator Tim Scott. Norman, who failed to secure the GOP gubernatorial nomination earlier this year, has received backing from former Governor Mark Sanford. Sanford supports Norman due to his focus on fiscal conservatism and national debt issues.
Trump’s endorsement strategy faced challenges. In a previous primary, Trump supported Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, who lost a runoff to South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson.
In Oklahoma, Trump-backed Mazzei is in a runoff against state Attorney General Gentner Drummond. The winner will likely be favored in the general election in the Republican-dominated state.
Despite some setbacks in gubernatorial endorsements, Trump’s influence remains strong. However, his endorsements have not always guaranteed victory, as seen with recent losses by candidates he supported in South Carolina, Georgia, Iowa, Wyoming, and Minnesota.
“There’s no question that an endorsement from President Trump provides a tremendous boost in a Republican primary. But it doesn’t necessarily mean the candidate’s going to win,” Republican strategist Ryan Williams stated.
In Georgia, Democrats are vying for a congressional seat left vacant by the late Representative David Scott. Former Gwinnett County School Board Chair Everton Blair and Marcye Scott, the late congressman’s daughter, are contenders.