Bluffton voters head to the polls in South Carolina’s GOP Senate primary

by Julianne Sheehan

BLUFFTON, S.C. (WTOC) - Darline Graham and Ralph Norman advanced to a Republican runoff Tuesday after neither candidate secured a majority in South Carolina’s special Senate primary. The two will face off Aug. 25 for the GOP nomination to fill the seat held for 23 years by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Ten candidates competed in the primary. Voters across the state, including in Bluffton, turned out to weigh in on who should replace Graham, one month after his death.

Voters navigated a compressed timeline

The compressed timeline — one month between Graham’s death and the primary — left some voters scrambling to research the candidates.

“Since the special primary was so quick, it was a little difficult to do your research,” said Danny Thornberry, a voter in Bluffton.

Thornberry said he still made it a priority to be informed before heading to the polls.

“Make sure you are informed about who you’re voting for, make sure, you know, who you send to Washington is gonna benefit not only the nation, but is also gonna benefit the state of South Carolina,” Thornberry said.

Voter eligibility and turnout

Only registered voters who participated in the Republican primary, or who did not vote in either party’s June primary, were eligible to cast a ballot. During the three-day early voting period, more than 61,000 South Carolinians went to the polls. Turnout on Election Day was described as slow but steady at Bluffton High School, one of the polling locations.

Darline Graham draws support from some voters

Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to finish out her late brother’s term. She is running for the full six-year seat in her first-ever campaign for office, retaining her brother’s congressional and campaign staff and securing an endorsement from President Trump.

Voter Barry Ginn said he cast his ballot for Graham, citing in part the work done by her brother’s team.

“I voted for the staff more, actually more than I did Darline, cause like I said in my case, I know what he did for me, and I know what he was doing for other people, and we need to continue that,” Ginn said.

Ginn also said Graham’s stated focus on local issues factored into his decision.

“I kind of like what she said about paying attention to local problems than foreign affairs,” he said.

He added that he believes she has the support needed to handle the role.

“I think she’s got the support she’s gonna need in any of those situations, foreign affairs or local, I think she was just the right fit at this point in time,” Ginn said.