Tuesday's Senate runoff tests the heft of both a famous political last name and the endorsement of President Donald Trump, who is backing Darline Graham and campaigned in the state for her days ahead of the vote.
The matchup pits the well-known Norman — fresh off an unsuccessful gubernatorial bid earlier this summer — against Graham, the late senator's sister who was thrust into the political spotlight with her interim appointment, then a sprint of a primary campaign.
Trump making final push for Darline Graham
Graham drew early criticism for being in Washington for Senate votes instead of on the ground in South Carolina, where many voters said they didn’t know anything about her or her positions. She’s been trying to make up that ground, holding meet and greet events, including two on Monday in Aiken and Seneca, as well as a news conference with Gov. Henry McMaster, who appointed her to the interim post and endorsed Graham on Friday.
Trump on Monday night also planned the second of two tele-rallies for Graham.
Norman crisscrossing the state to make his final campaign case
On Monday, Norman planned two events with pastors, ending his runoff campaign in Greenville. The most populous in the state, Greenville County typically contributes the most votes in statewide Republican primaries.
It’s also bucked against the front-runners in recent GOP contests. Norman also carried Greenville County in the gubernatorial primary earlier this year — and it was one of the only counties Lindsey Graham lost in his final election, this year’s original June primary.
Norman has decried the role of super PAC spending against him in the runoff campaign, accusing Graham of being funded by special interests who are pushing their own agenda through her candidacy. The wealthy developer has made large personal transfers into his campaign coffers and promoted his voting record and business acumen.
Norman has frequently reminded voters of his history supporting the president’s policies in Congress.
At a town hall Friday, Norman leaned into his experience in elected politics and in the business world, reiterating his campaign trail slight against Graham that the Senate isn't a place to get “training on the job.”
“We've had a short runway, and I'm so glad I did this,” Norman told voters at a town hall in Anderson. “You have to know it. You have to be in it, and that's one of the advantages that I have.”
The winner of Tuesday's GOP runoff will face Democrat Annie Andrews in November. No Democrat has won a statewide-elected office in South Carolina in two decades.
