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◆ Mixed look for TrumpElections / Campaigns

Republicans defy Trump, jump into South Carolina Senate race despite his handpicked successor

Trump endorsed Darline Graham, but several Republicans entered the race despite his backing.

Republicans defy Trump, jump into South Carolina Senate race despite his handpicked successor
Image · Yahoo News

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Host credibilityYahoo News76/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 2, 2026

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Republished from Fox News, with credit to the original publisher.

Fox News70/100 HIGH

1,153 stories · 69.5–70.1 · updated Oct 6, 2026

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Yahoo Newsvia Fox News
Jul 20, 2026
tl;dr

Several Republicans, including Rep. Russell Fry and Rep. Ralph Norman, entered the South Carolina Republican Senate primary despite President Donald Trump endorsing Darline Graham, who has not yet committed to run. Fry said his campaign was about giving voters a choice, while strategists said Trump’s backing can help a candidate without guaranteeing a win.

Community verdict

23 VOTES
How does this story look for
Donald Trump R · President of the United States
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People in this story

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Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Darline Graham for the Senate primary

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Darline Graham
R · SC · SEN

Senator and Trump-endorsed potential Senate candidate

Graham's version of this story ↗
Russell Fry
R · SC-7

Representative and candidate entering the South Carolina Republican Senate primary

Fry's version of this story ↗
Lindsey Graham
Former U.S. Senator (R-SC)

Late senator whose seat is the subject of the special election

Mark Lynch
R · SC

Businessman entering the Senate race

Ralph Norman
R · SC-5

Representative and candidate entering the Senate race

Republican consultant commenting on Trump’s endorsement

ALSO MENTIONED  Alan Wilson, South Carolina attorney general who won the recent gubernatorial runoff; Pamela Evette, Lieutenant governor mentioned as an example of Trump’s endorsement in a recent gubernatorial primary; Ryan Williams, Republican strategist commenting on Trump’s endorsement

Part of a bigger story

3 OUTLETS
Ralph Norman and Russell Fry Enter South Carolina Senate Primary

Ralph Norman and Russell Fry entered the South Carolina Republican Senate primary despite President Donald Trump’s endorsement of another candidate. Left-leaning outlets frame the entries as resistance to Trump’s influence. Center outlets focus on Norman’s bid and his pledge to support Trump’s agenda, while noting Trump’s endorsement of another candidate. Right-leaning outlets emphasize that candidates entered despite Trump’s endorsement and present voter choice as a reason for the challenge.

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