Darline Graham won the South Carolina Republican Senate primary runoff on Tuesday, defeating U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman to secure the GOP nomination for the seat previously held by her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham. The victory was widely attributed in part to a strong endorsement from former President Donald Trump, which Graham publicly acknowledged in her victory remarks.

Graham expressed gratitude toward Trump following her win, underscoring the continued electoral influence of his endorsements in Republican primary contests. The race drew national attention both because of Graham's family connection to one of the Senate's most prominent recent figures and because it served as another test of Trump's sway over Republican primary voters heading into the general election season.

Norman, a sitting congressman and conservative stalwart, had been considered a competitive candidate, making Graham's win a notable outcome. The runoff was triggered after neither candidate secured a majority in the initial primary. Graham's victory positions her as the Republican nominee in a state that has leaned solidly Republican in statewide races in recent cycles.

Analysts noted that the endorsement from Trump helped consolidate support behind Graham among the Republican base, continuing a pattern seen in other primary contests across the country where Trump-backed candidates have performed strongly. Graham will now advance to the general election, where she is expected to face a Democratic opponent in November.