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Trump pick Darline Graham wins election despite struggling over Taiwan question
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Han Liin Washington, DCPublished: 9:25am, 26 Aug 2026Updated: 10:08am, 26 Aug 2026South Carolina Senator Darline Graham won the Republican nomination in seeking a full term on Tuesday, overcoming a rocky moment in last week’s debate, when she struggled to answer questions about Taiwan and the South China Sea.Graham, a political newcomer, was appointed to the seat in July following the unexpected death of her brother, Lindsey Graham, one of the Senate’s most senior and influential Republicans. Backed by US President Donald Trump, she was required to contest a special primary to secure the party’s nomination for a full term.
According to results released on Tuesday at 9pm, Graham won 52.4 per cent of the vote, defeating Representative Ralph Norman in the run-off and will advance to the November election.
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South Carolina is a Republican stronghold, and whoever wins the Republican nomination is widely expected to win in November. Graham and Norman advanced from an earlier August primary in which neither candidate won more than 50 per cent of the vote, forcing Tuesday’s run-off.
The campaign was not without geopolitical drama. During last week’s debate, Graham was asked whether Taiwan and the South China Sea are national security issues for the United States. She appeared unprepared for the topic, first asking the moderator to repeat the question, then acknowledging that she was not an expert on national security.
“I am not that informed on national security,” she said, after a pause. “But I do support the military.”
The moment drew widespread press and social media attention, with critics questioning whether she has the experience and qualifications to serve as a senator. It also highlighted a sharp contrast with her late brother, who spent decades building a reputation in Washington as a prominent foreign-policy hawk.
On the same debate stage, Norman gave a more detailed answer, calling Taiwan “a definite ally” and highlighting the island’s semiconductor industry. Norman has also been a strong Trump supporter.
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