Kathmandu— Darline Graham has won South Carolina’s Republican Senate primary runoff election, positioning her to potentially fill the seat once held by her late brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, for over two decades. She defeated five-term Congressman Ralph Norman on Tuesday, receiving approximately 52% of the vote compared to his 48%, according to preliminary results. Appointed to the Senate in July following her brother’s unexpected death while visiting Kiev, Graham will now face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, in the November general election. The Republican party is heavily favored in South Carolina, which hasn't elected a Democrat to the US Senate since 1998. Former President Donald Trump endorsed and campaigned for Graham, significantly influencing the outcome of the race.

A Family Legacy

Darline Graham’s victory comes after she was appointed to the seat by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster following the death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham. The veteran lawmaker passed away shortly after returning from a visit to Kiev. Prior to her appointment, Graham served as commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and held a communications role at the state Vocational Rehabilitation Department – marking her first foray into public service.

Trump’s Endorsement Proves Decisive

What began as a caretaker appointment quickly evolved into a full-fledged campaign, bolstered by an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. Trump not only urged Graham to run but also personally campaigned for her in South Carolina, and his MAGA Inc. super PAC invested nearly $830,000 in support of her candidacy. This backing proved crucial in overcoming attacks from Norman and his supporters, who criticized Graham’s lack of experience and suggested her candidacy was a case of political nepotism.

Foreign Policy Contrast

The election highlighted a potential shift in foreign policy priorities for the seat. While Lindsey Graham was known as a staunch advocate for an aggressive US posture on the international stage, particularly regarding Ukraine, Russia, and Iran, Darline Graham admitted to being less informed on national security issues during a recent debate. She stated that “national security is not my thing,” emphasizing her focus on domestic concerns – a stark contrast to her brother’s long-standing commitment to foreign policy.

Continuing Key Legislation

Despite the shift in emphasis, Graham has already begun to follow in her brother's footsteps by supporting key legislation. Shortly after taking office, she helped reintroduce a bill originally championed by Lindsey Graham that aims to target countries purchasing Russian and Iranian energy. The Senate passed this measure earlier this month, demonstrating a continuity of certain policy goals despite the change in leadership.

Primary Results and General Election Outlook

Graham secured first place in the initial ten-candidate Republican primary on August 11 with around 33% of the vote, while Norman received approximately 25%, necessitating Tuesday’s runoff election. Although Graham faced scrutiny following an awkward debate performance, she ultimately prevailed over Norman. With Republicans heavily favored in South Carolina, she is widely expected to win the general election against Democratic nominee Annie Andrews.

The November general election will determine whether Darline Graham secures a full six-year term in the Senate, continuing her brother’s legacy while potentially charting a new course for the state's representation in Washington.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.