{"id":2649236,"date":"2026-08-25T09:15:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T13:15:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ralph-norman-erases-graham-nordones-lead-on-final-day-of-primary-poll\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T10:08:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T14:08:17","slug":"ralph-norman-erases-graham-nordones-lead-on-final-day-of-primary-poll","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ralph-norman-erases-graham-nordones-lead-on-final-day-of-primary-poll\/","title":{"rendered":"Ralph Norman erases Graham Nordone\u2019s lead on final day of primary: Poll"},"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\">24<\/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%2Fralph-norman-erases-graham-nordones-lead-on-final-day-of-primary-poll%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=2649236&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>In the upcoming South Carolina Senate runoff election, Rep. Ralph Norman and Sen.Darline Graham Nordone are nearly neck and neck based on a Trafalgar Group poll, with Graham Nordone slightly leading at 47.9% versus norman&#8217;s 47.8%. Neither candidate has secured a majority, and about 4.4% of voters remain undecided. Graham Nordone, appointed recently to fill the late Senator Lindsey Graham\u2019s seat, is supported by prominent figures including President Trump and Gov. Henry McMaster,and gained notable endorsements from anti-abortion groups.Despite these backing, her debate performance raised questions about her policy knowledge, especially on national security and abortion issues. Norman, running as a conservative incumbent, emphasizes his experience and proven record. The election results will be announced after polls close Tuesday night.  <\/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\">Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ralph-norman\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4637\">Ralph Norman<\/a> (R-SC) and 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) are virtually tied in the final poll before voters cast their ballots in Tuesday\u2019s special primary runoff election for the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"8765\">Senate<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RobertCahaly\/status\/2092072107240837128\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RobertCahaly\/status\/2092072107240837128\">Trafalgar Group survey<\/a> shows Graham Nordone barely leading Norman, with 47.9% to 47.8% for the respective candidates. Neither has majority support. The data also show 4.4% of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/south-carolina\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"524\">South Carolina<\/a> voters remain undecided.<\/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\/4699074\/ralph-norman-darline-graham-nordone-south-carolina-primary-poll\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Ralph Norman erases Darline Graham Nordone\u2019s lead on final day of primary: Poll<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4698901\/trump-loyalists-endorsements-midterm-primaries\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>When Trump endorses loyalists, they don\u2019t always win<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4698796\/trump-pro-family-agenda-bipartisan-support-economic-anxiety-midterms\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump\u2019s pro-family agenda has won bipartisan support, but economic anxiety clouds GOP midterm hopes<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The poll\u2019s findings reflect how competitive the race has been since Graham Nordone was appointed by Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/henry-mcmaster\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"5310\">Henry McMaster<\/a> (R-SC) to serve the remainder of her late brother\u2019s term. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lindsey-graham\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"737\">Lindsey Graham<\/a>, 71, died unexpectedly due to heart complications last month.<\/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\">With an endorsement from 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>, Graham Nordone decided to run for a full term in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4681391\/south-carolina-senate-special-primary-results\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4681391\/south-carolina-senate-special-primary-results\/\">Aug. 11 special primary election<\/a>. Two weeks ago, she secured nearly 32.8% of the vote compared to Norman\u2019s 24.6%. In Tuesday\u2019s runoff, the incumbent needs more votes, preferably an outright majority, to hold on to her Senate seat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But if the latest poll is any indication, Norman is expected to give Graham Nordone a run for her money.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Graham Nordone may have support from Trump, McMaster, Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tim-scott\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"521\">Tim Scott<\/a> (R-SC), and even her former Republican primary rival, Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC), but public doubts about her qualifications for the job have risen since her debate with Norman.<\/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\">In a notable moment during the Aug. 18 runoff debate, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4692180\/darline-graham-national-security-south-carolina-senate\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4692180\/darline-graham-national-security-south-carolina-senate\/\">Graham Nordone admitted<\/a> she was \u201cnot that informed on national security\u201d when posed with a question on the tensions between China and Taiwan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m not a polished politician up here,\u201d she said. \u201cNational security is not my thing, not my area of expertise. But I do support the military.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Similar lackluster responses at the debate and on the campaign trail have <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4693496\/darline-graham-nordone-debate-fumble-spotlights-policy-views\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4693496\/darline-graham-nordone-debate-fumble-spotlights-policy-views\/\">raised questions<\/a> about her policy views on various issues, including <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/abortion\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"200\">abortion<\/a>. She supports the anti-abortion movement. However, the senator <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/EPSouthCarolina\/status\/2090172870693720554\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/EPSouthCarolina\/status\/2090172870693720554\">failed to provide<\/a> a definitive answer when she was asked about a complete ban on abortion.<\/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\">Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4691682\/anti-abortion-darline-graham-nordone-senate-endorsement\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4691682\/anti-abortion-darline-graham-nordone-senate-endorsement\/\">backed Graham Nordone<\/a> last week while Students for Life Action, a similar anti-abortion group, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4689441\/students-for-life-action-endorse-norman-over-graham-nordone-south-carolina-senate-race\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4689441\/students-for-life-action-endorse-norman-over-graham-nordone-south-carolina-senate-race\/\">supported Norman<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4698678\/maga-inc-donations-south-carolina-senate-race-boost-darline-graham-nordone\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4698678\/maga-inc-donations-south-carolina-senate-race-boost-darline-graham-nordone\/\">TRUMP SUPER PAC POURS $828,000 INTO SOUTH CAROLINA TO BOOST GRAHAM NORDONE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It remains to be seen if Graham Nordone has distinguished herself enough in the race to beat Norman, who is running as a fifth-term \u201cproven conservative\u201d congressman in the House Freedom Caucus. The election results will start coming in on Tuesday night after polls close at 7 p.m. across the state.<\/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\">The Trafalgar Group surveyed 1,031 respondents between Aug 22 and 24. The poll has a margin of error of 2.9 percentage points.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Close race: Norman and Graham Nordone nearly tied in final poll<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2649238,"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-t9ytvtvz4-1787659474023-e1787659549869.jpg?1787646343&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[82872,5894,15698,33184,59942],"class_list":["post-2649236","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-graham-nordone","tag-politics","tag-polling","tag-primary-election","tag-ralph-norman"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-collage-t9ytvtvz4-1787659474023-e1787659549869.jpg?1787646343&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2649236","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\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2649236"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2649236\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2649239,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2649236\/revisions\/2649239"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2649238"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2649236"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2649236"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2649236"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}