President Donald Trump’s endorsement has never looked as feeble as it has in the month of August 2026. Already six of his chosen candidates have been defeated.
But Tuesday’s special primary runoff for US Senate in South Carolina is an especially big test of not just his endorsement and domination of his party, but also his chutzpah.
That’s because Trump has put his reputation on the line like he rarely has before — even as his fortunes with his party have ebbed — and for seemingly relatively little upside.
South Carolina’s voters will decide between Rep. Ralph Norman and the Trump-backed candidacy of appointed Sen. Darline Graham, the political neophyte sister of Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died last month.
It’s difficult to say who has the edge, given the dearth of quality polling and the rapid turnaround from the first round of the primary just two weeks ago.
