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South Carolina awaits a major change in its representation after the death of Lindsey Graham, a powerful senator known for his zealous advocacy of military intervention, as every Republican candidate promises to bring a more domestic focus to the job.<\/p>\n
His death triggered a competitive special GOP primary to be held Tuesday. The winner will advance to the November election against Democrat Annie Andrews in a state that hasn\u2019t elected a Democrat for U.S. Senate since 1998.<\/p>\n
Leading most polls is Graham\u2019s younger sister, newly minted Sen. Darline Graham, 62. She had never held public office before Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, appointed her at President Trump\u2019s urging.<\/p>\n
She has inherited many of her brother\u2019s political assets \u2014 his Senate and campaign staff, the support of his Super PAC and the president\u2019s endorsement \u2014 but she has made clear she has different priorities.<\/p>\n
\u201cLindsey was probably much more focused on national security, and I know that\u2019s important, but I will probably be focused more on affordability,\u201d she recently told Fox News.<\/p>\n
She has also advocated overriding the Senate\u2019s 60-vote filibuster threshold, breaking from her brother\u2019s stance.<\/p>\n
Ms. Graham faces a fight for the nomination and could be forced into a runoff even if she does not get over 50% of the vote.<\/p>\n
Mark Lynch, a businessman who won almost 29% of the vote in a primary challenge against Lindsey Graham in June, is running again and says he would be radically different than the late lawmaker.<\/p>\n
\u201cI break from Graham\u2019s interventionist record and endless spending by prioritizing America First, cracking down on foreign aid, slashing government waste, focusing hard on the rule of law and affordability for South Carolinians,\u201d Mr. Lynch told The Washington Times in a statement.<\/p>\n
South Carolina state Rep. Jordan Pace said many South Carolina Republicans have long wanted a change from Graham.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt least since 2014 there\u2019s been a sizable 20 to 30% of the electorate that was desperate to get anybody but him,\u201d said Mr. Pace, who supports Rep. Ralph Norman\u2019s bid.<\/p>\n
In the initial 2026 GOP primary on June 9, Lindsey Graham won handily, but more than 43% of voters chose one of several challengers.<\/p>\n