Graham campaigns in Beaufort ahead of Tuesday’s GOP runoff

BEAUFORT, S.C. (WTOC) - Sen. Darline Graham campaigned in Beaufort Sunday ahead of Tuesday’s Republican special election runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman.

Graham was appointed to finish her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham’s, term two days after his death. She finished the special primary with more than 32% of the vote. Norman finished second with over 24%.

Supporters pack Beaufort event

Bricks on Boundary in Beaufort was packed wall-to-wall with Graham supporters Sunday. Local officials and fellow GOP candidates spoke in support of Graham before she delivered remarks and answered voter questions.

“My goal is to try to get out and meet as many people in South Carolina as I can to know what’s important to them, what’s important to the voters because I want to earn their vote,” Graham said.

Commissioner of Agriculture nominee Cody Simpson addressed criticism of Graham he has seen online.

“The simple fact that they weren’t supporting her is because she’s a lady, well I have a little sister too, and I wouldn’t get in the ring with her,” Simpson said.

Trump endorsement cited by supporters

Supporters said an endorsement from President Donald Trump helped sway their vote.

“Anything Trump does is okay with me, so I’m good with her,” said Nancy Marino, a Graham supporter.

Graham has not shied away from the fact that she has never held public office before being appointed to the Senate following her brother’s death. She retained her late brother’s campaign and congressional staff, a team she described as a blessing.

“They are the gold standard when it comes to constituent services,” Graham said. “Many of them have been in there for twenty and thirty years, it just doesn’t get any better than that.”

One-on-one meetings with voters

After sharing remarks and answering questions from voters, Graham met one-on-one with supporters.

“I think she’s extremely relatable. That’s one of the reasons I like her, because she’s not a politician, and she’s one of us,” said Xiaodan Li, a Graham supporter.

Graham said she wants to focus on health care costs, grocery costs and other daily struggles throughout the state.

“When I’m going around to these events talking to people, they’re concerned about the daily struggles, the rising cost of health care, the cost of groceries, I know those struggles so that’s what I want to focus on and work hard on,” Graham said.

Runoff set for Tuesday

Graham is seeking a full six-year term in Washington after being appointed to finish her brother’s term. She will face Norman, who is currently serving South Carolina in Washington with more than 20 years of political experience.

Only voters who cast a ballot in June’s Republican primary, or did not vote in either party’s primary, are eligible to participate in Tuesday’s runoff. Polls open at 7 a.m.