South Carolina Republican Party

South Carolina's Republican Party decertified three candidates for a U.S. Senate special primary following the death of Senator Lindsey Graham. Two candidates were excluded for not meeting a new voting requirement, while a third was disqualified due to an out-of-state address. A legal challenge by one candidate has temporarily protected their ballot placement.

South Carolina Republicans are competing in a special primary to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, with at least 10 candidates vying for the nomination. Darline Graham, his sister and interim Senate appointee, is running but faces uncertainty, while Rep. Ralph Norman and others also seek the seat.

The South Carolina Republican Party will host a U.S. Senate debate on August 3. Candidates include Mark Sanford, Darline Graham, Ralph Norman, Russell Fry, and Mark Lynch. The special Republican primary begins August 5 with Election Day on August 11.

WIS and Gray Media are hosting a live broadcast of the South Carolina Republican U.S. Senate Special Election Primary debate on August 3, 2026, ahead of the August 11 election to fill the seat of late Senator Lindsey Graham. The debate will air from WIS 10 Studios in Columbia across multiple Gray Media platforms statewide.

South Carolina lawmakers expressed shock following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham at 71. Tributes highlighted his military service, legislative career, and bipartisan advocacy for the state.