South Carolina Holds Special Republican Primary for U.S. Senate

The South Carolina Elections Commission is managing a special Republican primary to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the death of Senator Lindsey Graham on July 11. Early voting began August 5 and concluded August 7, with the commission reporting 22,106 ballots cast on the first day and nearly 20,000 cast on Thursday. High turnout was noted specifically in Horry, Greenville, Lexington, and Spartanburg counties.

The primary features ten candidates, including appointed Senator Darline Graham Nordone, U.S. Representatives Russell Fry and Ralph Norman, and former Governor Mark Sanford. The candidate pool expanded to ten after Judge Daniel Coble ordered the South Carolina Republican Party to include Danny Ford on the ballot following a legal battle over qualifications. While eight candidates appeared at a campaign event in Charleston on August 7, Darline Graham Nordone and Danny Ford did not attend.

Election Day is scheduled for August 11, with a potential runoff on August 25 if no candidate secures 50% of the vote. The winner will face Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews in the general election on November 3. Separately, the state is preparing for a 1st Congressional District election after Nancy Mace vacated her seat to run for governor, with retired Vice Admiral Nancy S. Lacore as the Democratic nominee.