President Donald Trump traveled to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Friday to support his endorsed candidate, Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC), who is running to keep the Senate seat of her late brother, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), for the next six years.
Graham, who was appointed to finish her brother’s term and who has never served as an elected official, faces U.S. Representative Ralph Norman (R-SC) in the GOP runoff election to be held on Tuesday, August 25.
Appearing on NewsNation on Friday, Norman didn’t target the President’s endorsement of Graham, but instead took aim at Democrats who, according to Norman, are “propping up my opponent with millions of dollars.”
Norman added, “The Washington elite and RINOs are doing everything they can to stop a TRUE conservative like me!”
It’s disturbing to see left-wing Democrats propping up my opponent with millions of dollars. The Washington elite and RINOs are doing everything they can to stop a TRUE conservative like me! pic.twitter.com/af93pDs8Tu
— Ralph Norman (@RalphNorman) August 20, 2026
[NOTE: At the GOP debate with Norman earlier this week, Graham admitted that she is “not a polished politician up here” and that “national security is not my thing.” Graham has also been criticized by fellow congressional Republicans including U.S. Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC), who said the Senate seat was “literally handed to her.” Mace has endorsed Norman.]
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley also responded to Graham’s comments at the debate: “Lindsey Graham was well informed on the United States’ national security. Darline Graham admits she’s not. This is not something you inherit. And it’s critical in the U.S. Senate.”
Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC) is asked at #SCSen debate about Taiwan and the South China Sea: “I’m just going to be honest here; I’m not that informed on national security, so — but I do support the military. My brother was in the Air Force for 33 years…I’m not a polished… pic.twitter.com/c6WsSjWz6C
— CSPAN (@cspan) August 19, 2026
Earlier this week, several conservatives in the pro-life movement voiced their opposition to Graham. After the National Right to Life and South Carolina Citizens for Life Federal PAC endorsed Graham, SC Citizens for Life board member Randy Page, wrote: “This endorsement is ill advised and inexcusable. Effective immediately, I am resigning as a member of the board of @LIFEforSC.”
Page added: “Darline Graham donated to and voted for a pro-abortion state senator that killed a major pro-life bill on the Senate floor. That’s a problem.”