Darline Graham Clears Big Hurdle in SC

Sen. Darline Graham has advanced to a runoff in South Carolina's special Republican primary to replace her late brother Lindsey Graham in the US Senate. A first-time candidate who was always close to her brother's political orbit, Darline Graham moved forward Tuesday from a 10-way field in Tuesday's balloting, the AP reports. Lindsey Graham died July 11, triggering a whirlwind special election season. She will face Rep. Ralph Norman in the Aug. 25 runoff. With around 90% of the vote counted, Graham is at 33%, with Norman at 23.5% and Rep. Russell Fry at 20%, per DecisionDeskHQ. Former Gov. Mark Sanford, who was attempting yet another political comeback, is in fourth place at 15%.

Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to serve the final months of her late brother's term. She swiftly drew the encouragement and endorsement of President Trump, her brother's close congressional ally, to seek a full term. Norman has long been a member of the House Freedom Caucus, comprised of the chamber's most conservative members. He unsuccessfully ran for the GOP gubernatorial nomination earlier this year. The winner of the runoff will face Democrat Annie Andrews in the general election. No Democrat has won a US Senate seat in South Carolina in decades.

• This story has been updated with new developments.