Trump-Backed Candidates Win Key Republican Primaries in South Carolina and Oklahoma

Washington, D.C. - President Donald Trump’s influence in Republican primaries received a boost after two Trump-backed candidates won major runoff elections in South Carolina and Oklahoma.

In South Carolina, Darline Graham won the Republican runoff for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by her late brother, Senator Lindsey Graham. She defeated U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman and will now advance to the November general election against Democrat Annie Andrews.

Graham had been appointed to temporarily fill the Senate seat after Lindsey Graham’s death and then sought the Republican nomination for a full term. Trump endorsed her and campaigned on her behalf, making the race a high-profile test of his continued influence among Republican voters.

In Oklahoma, former state senator and businessman Mike Mazzei won the Republican nomination for governor, defeating Attorney General Gentner Drummond in a competitive runoff. Mazzei also had Trump’s endorsement and is expected to be favored in the general election in heavily Republican Oklahoma. He will face Democrat Cyndi Munson in November.

The two victories come after several recent losses by Trump-endorsed candidates in other states, raising questions about whether his endorsement remains as powerful as it once was in Republican primaries.

For Trump and his allies, the South Carolina and Oklahoma results offer a chance to argue that his support still matters, especially in conservative states where Republican primary voters remain closely aligned with his political agenda.

The results also show that Trump’s endorsement can be especially important in close races, where a late push from the president, his political network or aligned groups can help shape voter turnout and candidate momentum.

Still, the broader picture remains mixed. Some Trump-backed candidates have struggled this primary season, while others have won easily. That suggests his endorsement remains influential, but not automatically decisive in every race.

The November general elections will now test whether these primary victories translate into broader Republican success. South Carolina’s Senate race and Oklahoma’s governor race both lean Republican, but Democrats are expected to use the contests to argue that GOP nominees are closely tied to Trump’s agenda.

For voters, the results are another sign that the 2026 midterm elections are being shaped not only by local issues, but also by national debates over Trump’s leadership, Republican Party direction, immigration, the economy, taxes, public safety and government spending.

Category
U.S. News / Politics

Hashtags
DonaldTrump, RepublicanPrimary, SouthCarolina, Oklahoma, DarlineGraham, MikeMazzei, Midterms2026, USPolitics

Source Name
Associated Press

Source URL
https://apnews.com/article/0d68fdd148f38abb1d3a833d10c69c3b

Editorial Comment / Acknowledgement
Source: Associated Press reporting and state election result information.