Politics
GOP Senate Underdog Picks Up Key Endorsement As Early Voting Closes
Former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford on Friday endorsed U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman in the Republican primary runoff for the state’s U.S. Senate seat. Sanford, who finished fourth in the August 11 special primary, made the announcement
Sanford received about 15 percent of the vote in this month’s Senate primary, which was held after the sudden death of longtime Senator Lindsey Graham. Interim Senator Darline Graham Nordone, the late senator’s sister who was appointed to the seat, received approximately 33 percent of the vote, while Norman finished second with 23.5 percent.
Since neither candidate was able to clear a 50 percent threshold, the two advanced to a runoff election scheduled for this coming Tuesday, August 25.
Third place finisher Russell Fry, the U.S.representative from South Carolina’s 7th Congressional District, previously announced his endorsement of Graham Nordone a few days after the primary. Sanford, however, had not commented on his preferred candidate until Friday, when he announced his endorsement of Rep. Norman.
“With very few exceptions I have refrained from seeking or giving political endorsements because I have long believed the sacred decision of a vote is best left between a candidate and the voter. This was made real in my first run for Congress when everyone had endorsed others without me even having the chance to meet. How could they endorse without even knowing anything about me or what I wanted to do? I have also been circumspect here because every candidate brings with them a unique perspective, background and set of campaign goals and promises,” the former governor posted on X.
Sanford went on to share three personal thoughts he holds on the race. “One, my prayers continue to go out to Darline Graham. I know her to be a good lady and my relationship to her late brother, her staff and many of her supporters had me wanting to do as I had done so many times before and stay neutral in this race,” he continued.
The former governor went on to note that while he does have some policy disagreements with Norman, he respects his staunchly conservative voting record. “And all of this brings me to a binary choice, not only on the bigger question of less government and more freedom, but on who do I believe holds the best shot at holding the line on government spending, our debt and its accompanying deficits? I am freaked about this issue given our crossing of the $40 trillion federal debt mark this week. It has heinous implications for all of us. And so as much as I would like to honor tradition and old friendships, the stakes are simply too high as our nation really is at a financial tipping point,” Sanford continued.
“It’s for these reasons and more that I will be voting for Ralph on Tuesday and respectfully ask that you do the same.”
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South Carolina Senate primary odds:
🟥 Darline Graham: 67%
🟥 Ralph Norman: 33% pic.twitter.com/OoBk6mQBGu— Kalshi Politics (@KalshiPolitics) August 21, 2026
Norman responded by stating he was honored to receive the support and noted his experience in Congress. Sanford’s son, Landon Sanford, had publicly endorsed Norman days earlier. Former candidate Mark Lynch, who previously ran against Lindsey Graham in the earlier primary, has also endorsed Norman.
No public opinion polls have been released specifically for the August 25 runoff between Graham and Norman. Available polling data remains limited to surveys conducted ahead of the August 11 primary.
In prediction markets, Norman’s share of the implied probability has increased in recent days. On Kalshi, Norman’s odds rose from approximately 17 percent a week earlier to 32-33 percent by August 21, while Graham’s declined from higher levels near 78-89 percent earlier in the runoff period to around 67 percent. Similar movements appeared across other platforms following the candidates’ debate.
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