{"id":2642197,"date":"2026-08-08T16:34:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:34:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/south-carolina-gop-senate-polling-shows-tight-primary-race\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T16:38:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:38:27","slug":"south-carolina-gop-senate-polling-shows-tight-primary-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/south-carolina-gop-senate-polling-shows-tight-primary-race\/","title":{"rendered":"South Carolina GOP Senate polling shows tight primary race"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fsouth-carolina-gop-senate-polling-shows-tight-primary-race%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2642197&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>South Carolina Republicans are in a close race to replace the late Senator Lindsey Graham in the U.S. Senate, with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-endorses-darline-graham-nordone-for-full-term\/\" title=\"Trump endorses ... for full term\">special primary election scheduled<\/a> for August 11. The main contenders include Graham\u2019s sister, Darline Graham nordone, who has been endorsed by Donald Trump; Ralph Norman; Russell Fry; and former Governor Mark sanford. Polls suggest the race could go to a runoff on August 25, with Nordone, Norman, fry, and Sanford leading at different times. Recent surveys show varying support levels, with Nordone leading in some polls. The candidates are campaigning largely on Trump-style platforms, accept Sanford, who emphasizes his conservative fiscal record. The primary debate covered topics like the filibuster,Iran,and the SAVE America Act,with Nordone expressing support for Trump&#8217;s views on removing the filibuster. The winner will face Democrat Annie Andrews in the November general election.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/south-carolina\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"524\">South Carolina <\/a>Republicans are locked in a tight matchup in the race to replace the late Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lindsey-graham\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"737\">Lindsey Graham<\/a> in the U.S. Senate, with the special primary election set for Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/darline-graham-nordone\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"23139\">Darline Graham Nordone<\/a> (R-SC), Graham\u2019s sister who filled the late lawmaker\u2019s unexpired term, was endorsed by President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> for the Aug. 11 special primary election. Nordone is taking on Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ralph-norman\/\">Ralph Norman <\/a>(R-SC), <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4655087\/russell-fry-announces-campaign-lindsey-graham-senate-seat\/\">Rep. Russell Fry <\/a>(R-SC), businessman <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4600485\/lindsey-graham-gop-primary-senate-south-carolina\/\">Mark Lynch<\/a>, and former <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4660958\/former-governor-mark-sanford-twice-in-congress-run-lindsey-graham-senate\/\">Gov. Mark Sanford<\/a> in the primary to see who will face <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4645748\/annie-andrews-appeals-lindsey-graham-voters-democrat-dreams-flip-south-carolina-seat\/\">Democrat Annie Andrews<\/a> in the November general election.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4680256\/south-carolina-gop-senate-poll\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>South Carolina GOP Senate polling shows tight race between Graham Nordone, Norman, Fry, and Sanford<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4680191\/vance-el-sayed-hurt-middle-class\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Vance says \u2018crazy\u2019 el Sayed would hurt middle class and auto industry<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4679698\/mackinac-island-mike-rogers-troll-post-abdul-el-sayed-michigan-senate-race\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>\u2018No place like Mackinac\u2019: Mike Rogers trolls Abdul el Sayed after hot mic moment emerges<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The multi-candidate race is expected to head to a primary runoff, which would take place on Aug. 25. Nordone, Norman, Fry, and Sanford are the only candidates consistently polling at over double digits for the general special primary, with various candidates leading in the survey matchups.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A late-July Emerson College <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/emersoncollegepolling.com\/south-carolina-2026-norman-graham-lead-gop-special-primary-runoff-likely\/\">poll<\/a> that surveyed 500 likely voters had Norman leading the candidate field, polling at 22% support, while Nordone trailed with 19%, Fry sat at 12%, and Sanford rested at 11%. Another late July poll from the prominent GOP pollster <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RobertCahaly\/status\/2083285530016436317\">Trafalgar Group<\/a> had Nordone in the lead by a significant margin with 27% support, while Norman and Fry notched an even second with 17.4% each, and Sanford sat at 15.1%. The Trafalgar Group surveyed 989 likely voters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most recent survey in the race was a late July co\/efficient <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/app.coefficient.org\/public\/fd093a3b-4ac6-46db-92af-ce57f63ba121\">poll<\/a> that also had Nordone taking the lead at 30%, with the other candidates trailing much further behind, as Fry held 16% support, Norman held 15% support, and Sanford held 9%. That poll had surveyed 857 voters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4656578\/who-is-running-replace-lindsey-graham-senate\/\">HERE\u2019S WHO IS RUNNING TO REPLACE LINDSEY GRAHAM IN THE SENATE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nordone, Fry, and Norman are all running largely MAGA-style campaigns, running on their support for Trump\u2019s agenda. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4660958\/former-governor-mark-sanford-twice-in-congress-run-lindsey-graham-senate\/\">Sanford<\/a>, on the other hand, is sticking to his conservative fiscal-hawk reputation, which drew Trump\u2019s ire when he served in the U.S. House.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4673831\/darline-graham-nordone-backs-trump-plan-nuke-filibuster\/\">most recent debate<\/a>, the candidates talked everything from the filibuster to the war in Iran to the SAVE America Act, as Nordone differentiated herself from her brother\u2019s stance on the filibuster, pledging to support Trump\u2019s wishes to remove the procedural rule.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>South Carolina GOP race tight ahead of Tuesday&#8217;s special primary<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2642198,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-collage-hvy017ebj-1784643680919-e1784643853349.jpg?1784629445&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[6203,15698,3740,41960],"class_list":["post-2642197","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-gop","tag-polling","tag-senate","tag-south-carolina"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-collage-hvy017ebj-1784643680919-e1784643853349.jpg?1784629445&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2642197","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2642197"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2642197\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2642201,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2642197\/revisions\/2642201"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2642198"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2642197"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2642197"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2642197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}