{"id":2644227,"date":"2026-08-13T07:14:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T11:14:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nikki-haley-goes-against-trumps-pick-to-replace-lindsey-graham\/"},"modified":"2026-08-13T07:19:02","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T11:19:02","slug":"nikki-haley-goes-against-trumps-pick-to-replace-lindsey-graham","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nikki-haley-goes-against-trumps-pick-to-replace-lindsey-graham\/","title":{"rendered":"Nikki Haley goes against Trump&#8217;s pick to replace Lindsey Graham"},"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\">20<\/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%2Fnikki-haley-goes-against-trumps-pick-to-replace-lindsey-graham%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=2644227&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>Nikki Haley is actively supporting Ralph Norman in South Carolina\u2019s Senate race, aiming to challenge the candidate endorsed by Donald Trump, Darline Graham Nordone. Haley\u2019s campaign emphasizes her longstanding political alliance with Norman, contrasting with Trump\u2019s backing of Nordone, and this contest echoes the fierce rivalry seen in their 2024 presidential primary. The race will be decided in a runoff on august 25, following a primary where neither candidate secured a majority. the dynamics highlight the broader political tension between Haley\u2019s emerging leadership vision and Trump\u2019s direct influence within the Republican Party. While Norman has expressed loyalty to Haley and her values, his support for her could pose risks given Trump\u2019s ongoing efforts to endorse and support his preferred candidates, targeting those who have opposed him. The outcome of the runoff may also depend on how campaign supporters of other candidates delegate their endorsements, with some strategists noting the race as a potential test of Trump loyalty among South Carolina Republicans.  <\/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\">Former United Nations Ambassador <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nikki-haley\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"810\">Nikki Haley<\/a> is going all in to help Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) defeat President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4\">Donald Trump\u2019s<\/a> handpicked candidate in South Carolina\u2019s Senate race, reigniting political battle lines from their bitter 2024 presidential primary.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trump\u2019s early and loud endorsement of 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) to permanently replace her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, is running up against Haley\u2019s deep South Carolina political network, which has mobilized behind Norman.<\/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\/4685349\/nikki-haley-goes-all-in-ralph-norman-against-trump-backed-darline-graham-nordone\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Nikki Haley goes all in for Ralph Norman against Trump-backed Darline Graham Nordone<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4685403\/chris-murphy-falls-short-on-endorsements\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Chris Murphy\u2019s poor endorsement record stress tests 2028 ambitions<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4685312\/gop-minnesota-fraud-attacks-peggy-flanagan-tim-walz-senate\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>GOP sharpens Minnesota fraud attacks after Tim Walz deputy wins Senate nomination<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A source close to Haley told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that Haley is \u201cprepared to do whatever it takes to help [Norman] win this race.\u201d<\/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\">\u201cFor more than two decades I have watched Ralph make difficult decisions, keep his commitments, and stay true to his principles,\u201d Haley wrote in her Norman endorsement announcement. \u201cSome see my support for him over the years as loyalty to a friend. That is false. The truth is, it is something far deeper. Ralph and I have always shared the same core belief that power belongs to the people, and government derives its authority from them alone.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The contest between Graham Nordone and Norman will be decided in an Aug. 25 runoff after neither won a majority of the vote on Tuesday. Trump\u2019s backing of Graham Nordone and Haley\u2019s support for Norman are prompting comparisons to their fiercely fought 2024 GOP presidential primary.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sources cautioned against viewing the race solely as a rematch of the 2024 presidential primary, pointing to Haley and Norman\u2019s longstanding political alliance dating back to their time in the South Carolina Statehouse. But their relationship also puts Norman\u2019s political loyalty to Haley in the spotlight: He was one of Haley\u2019s most prominent South Carolina supporters when she challenged Trump for the GOP presidential nomination.<\/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\">\u201cIn 2016, President Trump was exactly who the Republican Party needed at the time,\u201d Norman told Fox News in 2023. \u201cHowever, the Republican Party has entered a season of change. We\u2019re at a pivotal juncture, and most of the Republicans I know are now looking for new leadership with a new vision at the top of the ticket. Nikki Haley has that vision, and she\u2019s going to be an outstanding president.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Three years later, Norman\u2019s loyalty to Haley could come with a cost as he seeks the Republican nomination against Trump\u2019s handpicked candidate. Trump has already targeted several Republican incumbents who crossed him this cycle, including Sens. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bill-cassidy\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"2103\">Bill Cassidy <\/a>(R-LA) and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/thom-tillis\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"973\">Thom Tillis <\/a>(R-NC), as well as Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/thomas-massie\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"17668\">Thomas Massie<\/a> (R-KY) this cycle. Cassidy and Massie were defeated by Trump-backed primary challengers, while the president claims Tillis opted against seeking re-election after being denied an endorsement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Phil Vangelakos, a South Carolina GOP strategist working with Graham Nordone, said the campaign is trying to appeal to all Republican voters.<\/p>\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<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDarline is getting support from people who supported Trump, but also a wide variety of Republicans all across the state,\u201d Vangelakos told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cDonald Trump really won overwhelmingly here in 2024 and his popularity still lingers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But South Carolina Republican strategist Dave Wilson told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that the next phase of the race could hinge on where the candidates eliminated in Tuesday\u2019s primary throw their support \u2014 possibly forcing prominent Republicans to choose between Trump and Norman.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tuesday night\u2019s third-place finisher, Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC), has yet to endorse either candidate in the runoff. Fry, an ardent Trump ally, is also seeking reelection in South Carolina\u2019s 7th Congressional District this November.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4682038\/trump-will-scharf-counsel-potential-democratic-investigations\/\"><strong>TRUMP INSTALLS LOYALIST WILL SCHARF AS WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL AHEAD OF POTENTIAL DEMOCRATIC INVESTIGATION<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe had been an ardent Trump supporter, which matches much of the voter sentiment among the growing Republican base in his district,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cWill he stay in alignment with Trump by throwing his support behind the Trump-endorsed Darline Graham? My guess is yes, because Fry will very likely handily win reelection to the U.S. House in November, and he will still have to work very closely with the Trump White House.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wilson said the decisions by Fry and other Republicans could make the runoff \u201ca greater test of Trump loyalty.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Haley backs Norman to beat Trump\u2019s pick in SC Senate race<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2652,"featured_media":2644228,"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\/08\/image-collage-s4gytye82-1786573918443-e1786574632783.jpg?1786560433&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[32283,34440,5894,3634],"class_list":["post-2644227","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-lindsey-graham","tag-nikki-haley","tag-politics","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-collage-s4gytye82-1786573918443-e1786574632783.jpg?1786560433&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2644227","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\/2652"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2644227"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2644227\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2644230,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2644227\/revisions\/2644230"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2644228"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2644227"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2644227"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2644227"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}