Politics

Tim Scott defends Darline Graham ahead of South Carolina Republican Senate runoff

The senator dismissed concerns over Graham's debate remarks on national security as she faces Ralph Norman in a primary runoff.

Updated Aug 24, 2026 · 00:32 UTC3 reports

The short version

Sen. Tim Scott endorsed and publicly defended interim Sen. Darline Graham ahead of her special Republican primary runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman.
Graham faced scrutiny following a recent debate where she stated she was not well informed on national security.
Both Scott and former President Donald Trump have rallied behind Graham to fill the remainder of her late brother Lindsey Graham's Senate term.
South Carolina Republican voters will decide the nominee in the upcoming Tuesday primary runoff.

Interim Sen. Darline Graham faces Rep. Ralph Norman in a Tuesday Republican primary runoff for the South Carolina U.S. Senate seat.[PBS NewsHour · The Guardian · NBC News]
During a primary debate, Graham acknowledged she was not that informed on national security and stated it was not her area of expertise when asked about Taiwan and the South China Sea.[The Guardian · NBC News]
Sen. Tim Scott defended Graham's qualifications on NBC's Meet the Press, calling her ready to serve while not offering specific details on her foreign policy background.[The Guardian · NBC News]
Graham was appointed interim senator by Gov. Henry McMaster following the sudden death of her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, in July.[PBS NewsHour · The Guardian]
Donald Trump endorsed Graham and appeared alongside her at a campaign rally in South Carolina ahead of the runoff.[PBS NewsHour · The Guardian · NBC News]

Whether Graham's debate remarks regarding national security will materially influence the outcome of the primary runoff against Norman remains to be seen.[The Guardian · NBC News]