Primary Election
Trump-backed appointee Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman lead a crowded GOP special primary
President Trump endorsed the appointed incumbent — Lindsey Graham's sister, Darline Graham — while Rep. Ralph Norman consolidated conservative-movement support. Late polls split: Emerson had Norman ahead; Trafalgar and co/efficient put Graham in front, with Norman and a rising Russell Fry vying for the second runoff spot. At the debates Graham broke with her brother's legacy by endorsing an end to the filibuster, then skipped the second night. A court order restored Danny Ford II to the ballot on August 4, making ten candidates. With no one near a majority, an August 25 runoff is likely.
Next: TV debate Aug 18
20% undecided — co/efficient for · Jul 28–Jul 30 · 0 voters · ±0%
Self-released survey via the Post and Courier; field dates unconfirmed, sample size/MOE unpublished, minor candidates not itemized. Runoff tests: Graham trailed Fry by 9, led Norman by 5. Fielded before Ford's ballot restoration. Source
Darline Graham
U.S. Senator, South Carolina (appointed)
Russell Fry
U.S. Representative, SC-7
Ralph Norman
U.S. Representative, SC-5
Mark Sanford
Former Governor of South Carolina
Mark Lynch
Business owner
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Election Integrity & Reform
Citizenship and ID requirements are the shared frame. Graham's first ad says only American citizens should vote in U.S. elections; Norman backs the SAVE America Act; Lynch would require photo ID and proof of citizenship, ban ballot harvesting and unsolicited mail-in voting, and restore in-person voting as the national standard; Parker backs voter ID requirements.
Darline Graham
“Only American citizens should vote in our elections.” (first campaign ad, released 2026-07-30)
Ralph Norman
“I will go to the Senate and [pass] the Save America Act. I will do whatever it takes to get that.” (SCGOP stump stop, August 1)
Mark Lynch
Lynch supports requiring photo identification and proof of U.S. citizenship for federal elections, banning ballot harvesting, eliminating unsecured ballot drop boxes, ending mass unsolicited mail-in voting, restoring in-person voting as the national standard, and requiring transparent election audits and chain-of-custody procedures.
End Corruption, Fraud, and Abuse
Lynch calls for aggressive audits of federal agencies, closing fraud loopholes, opposing omnibus spending, supporting a Balanced Budget Amendment, eliminating redundant agencies, and barring members of Congress from personal financial gain through office.
Mark Lynch
Lynch calls for aggressive audits of federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, closing loopholes that enable fraud in federal programs, opposing omnibus spending bills, supporting a Balanced Budget Amendment, eliminating redundant agencies, and prohibiting members of Congress from using public office for personal financial gain.
Mark McBride
Would eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and the IRS.
Border Security and Immigration Enforcement
Every leading candidate runs on enforcement, with differences of degree. Fry advocates finishing the wall, ending catch-and-release, and deporting criminal illegal aliens; Lynch goes further — an immigration moratorium, ending birthright citizenship, nationwide E-Verify, and cuts to legal immigration; Norman backs securing the border and defunding sanctuary cities; Graham backs funding ICE; Sanford calls a secure border “a key to sovereignty itself.” The sharpest debate clash came when Lynch accused Norman and Fry of enabling amnesty, which both flatly rejected.
Darline Graham
“I'm all for supporting and funding ICE. I support law enforcement. President Trump has done a great job protecting our borders.” (August 3 debate)
Russell Fry
Fry advocates finishing the border wall, strengthening immigration law, ending catch-and-release, deporting criminal illegal aliens, and punishing traffickers and drug lords to stop the fentanyl crisis.
Ralph Norman
Ralph Norman supports securing the border and enforcing immigration laws as part of his conservative platform.
MLGPCycle-to-date · FEC — figures change as new reports are filed.
FrySanfordNormanResearched & verified Aug 5, 2026. Compiled from verified public sources; claims that failed verification are excluded.
President Donald Trump
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR)
Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY)
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
Rep. Nancy Mace
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT)
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL)
Senate Conservatives Fund