MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.—President Donald Trump joined Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) on the campaign trail on Aug. 21, as Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), an erstwhile ally of the president, seeks to win an upset from the right.
Graham, sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), has served as the junior senator from South Carolina since being appointed to the post in mid-July following her brother’s death.
The late senator had already won his June 9 primary when he died suddenly from a cardiac illness, prompting the state to set up a special primary election that’s scheduled for Aug. 25.
During the first round of voting on Aug. 11, Darline Graham and Norman won the largest share of the vote, but neither won more than 50 percent so they must head into a runoff election.
Graham, endorsed by Trump, came in first place with 32.8 percent of the vote.
However, she has drawn scrutiny this week in the wake of a debate performance in which she stated that “national security is not my thing.”
Norman—the upstate Republican representing the state’s 7th Congressional District—came in second place, with 23.5 percent of the vote.
In response to his opponent’s admission during the debate that she’s not well-informed on national security, Norman said, “This isn’t a get training on the job, you can’t do that.”
Darline Graham’s comment also drew criticism from former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who said that national security expertise “is not something you inherit.”
Across his political career, Lindsey Graham—representing a state that has some of the most veterans and military families nationwide—was well known for his emphasis on foreign policy and national security.
Norman, who has often made headlines for butting heads with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and other Republican leaders, has marketed his lack of endorsement from Trump as a plus for his campaign.
He’s described himself as a Washington outsider, saying he has not won critical Republican endorsements or funding in the race.
Jeffrey, an Uber driver in the area who spoke to The Epoch Times, indicated that he heard more enthusiasm for Norman.
“I’m not sure she’s the right fit,” he said of Graham.
He commented on Norman’s experience as a lawmaker positively, saying he thought the upstate Republican was more qualified.
Rep. Russell Fry (R-S.C.), a Myrtle Beach-based House lawmaker who has allied closely with Trump, came in third place in the Aug. 11 primary. Fry received 20.4 percent of the vote and has since endorsed Graham.
Former South Carolina governor and U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.), a constitutionalist based in the Charleston area, came in fourth place with 15.3 percent of the vote.
An outspoken critic of Trump, Sanford has endorsed Norman for the nomination.