Trump’s Influence Tested in South Carolina and Oklahoma Runoff Elections

President Donald Trump recently traveled to South Carolina to endorse Senator Darline Graham. This endorsement took place at a campaign rally in Myrtle Beach on Friday, August 21, 2026. Trump praised Graham for her dedication to affordability and military support. Her candidacy comes in the wake of her brother, Lindsey Graham’s, unexpected passing at the age of 71.

Sen. Darline Graham is running in the Republican Senate nomination runoff against conservative Rep. Ralph Norman. This election follows a special primary in which neither Graham nor Norman secured a majority, necessitating a runoff. Trump urged South Carolina voters to support Graham, likening her presence on the ballot to his own.

The runoff election in South Carolina is critical, as it determines who will succeed the late Senator Lindsey Graham on the midterm ballot. The contest was narrowed down from a field that included Rep. Russell Fry and former governor and Rep. Mark Sanford. Graham’s campaign enjoys endorsements from notable Republicans, including Governor Henry McMaster and Rep. Russell Fry. Sen. Tim Scott also supports her, adding his weight as head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Ralph Norman, aiming for the Senate seat, also garnered support from former Governor Nikki Haley, a former Trump appointee. Norman was the only South Carolina congressional representative to endorse Haley in the 2024 Republican primaries. Despite his alignment with Trump’s policies, Norman uses his campaign to question Trump’s endorsement of Graham.

Beyond South Carolina, Trump’s political clout faces another test in Oklahoma. The president supports Mike Mazzei for the gubernatorial nomination. Mazzei finished slightly behind the current state Attorney General Gentner Drummond in the primary, moving the race to a runoff. The winner is expected to hold a strong position in the general election due to Oklahoma’s Republican dominance.

Trump’s influence in this election cycle has shown mixed results. While he maintains that his endorsements are effective, several candidates he supported in gubernatorial primaries have not succeeded. Despite this, longtime GOP strategist Ryan Williams acknowledges Trump’s significant influence within the party. He points out, however, that endorsements can’t overcome every electoral challenge.

As the runoff elections approach, the political landscape in these states remains closely watched. In Georgia, a separate special election will decide who fills a congressional seat vacated due to Democratic Rep. David Scott’s death. The contenders, Everton Blair and Marcye Scott, aim to serve the remainder of the term, potentially impacting the Republican majority in the House.