Republican voters in South Carolina cast ballots in a special election on Tuesday (local time) to choose a nominee to replace the late U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, less than five weeks after his sudden death on July 11 from cardiovascular disease, according to Al Jazeera.
Graham, who served 23 years in the Senate, was known as one of the most hawkish voices in Congress, frequently advocating military intervention in Iran, Iraq, and beyond. A longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, he had won South Carolina's Republican primary on June 9 before his death.
Who is running?
Ten candidates are vying for the Republican nomination. Among them is Darline Graham, the late senator's sister, who was appointed to complete her brother's term through January.
Businessman Mark Lynch, who finished second to Graham in the June primary, is also running. Incumbent Representatives Russell Fry and Ralph Norman, along with former Governor Mark Sanford, are in the race as well.
The field also includes attorney Duke Buckner, biomedical engineer Samuel Shepherd, former Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark McBride, former Air Force officer Glenda Gail Parker, and farmer Danny Lee Ford II.
Why a special election?
Graham's death upended a race that was expected to favor Republicans. Under South Carolina law, if a winning primary candidate withdraws, a special election must be held. Candidates can file from the second Tuesday after the vacancy occurs, with a one-week filing period.
Who is leading?
Darline Graham initially was seen as a placeholder, but a recent poll shows her leading with 30.4% support. Representative Ralph Norman is second at 17.5%, while fellow Representative Russell Fry has 16.6%. Former Governor Mark Sanford is fourth with 15.4%.
Graham, the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate, is viewed as an heir, likely to continue her late brother's political path. Before her appointment, she was a public administrator.
Stakes for the midterms
Republicans remain favored in this conservative-leaning state, but Graham's death is seen as boosting Democratic chances. Trump's surprise endorsement of Darline Graham could make a difference, though her lack of legislative experience may make her more vulnerable in the general election than more seasoned candidates.
On the Democratic side, pediatrician Annie Andrews has shown strong fundraising ability. She has leveraged a measles outbreak in the state since October 2025 to criticize Republican leadership and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic.
Andrews emphasized that South Carolina voters crave change. "They're looking for something different, and as a doctor, a mom, and a representative of generational leadership transition, that's exactly what I bring," she told the Charleston City Paper.
