Sen. Darline Graham advances to Republican special primary runoff in South Carolina

Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., makes her way to a swearing in ceremony in the U.S. Capitol after she was sworn in on the Senate floor on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Tom Williams | CQ-Eoll Call, Inc. | Getty ImagesPolls have begun closing in primary elections across the country, as voters in states such as Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Carolina pick their party's candidates ahead of the 2026 midterms. In South Carolina, polls closed at 7 p.m. ET as Republican voters choose the GOP nominee to succeed the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., will advance to a runoff election for the nomination, according to the Associated Press. Graham was appointed to the Senate to fill her brother's seat for the remainder of his term, which ends in January, and was endorsed by President Donald Trump for a full term. Reps. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., Russell Fry, R-S.C. and former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford are competing for the second spot in the runoff. In Minnesota and Wisconsin, polls are set to close at 9 p.m. ET. In both states, progressive Democrats are facing off with more moderate Democratic candidates — a crucial test as the party's left flank surges across the country.Read ...