Graham and Mazzei Secure GOP Nominations, Reinforcing Trump's Grip on Party
In Tuesday's runoff elections, Senator Darline Graham defeated Representative Ralph Norman in South Carolina's Republican Senate primary, while former state Senator Mike Mazzei narrowly beat Attorney General Gentner Drummond for the Oklahoma gubernatorial nomination. Both candidates had received President Trump's endorsement, and his super PAC invested heavily in the races. The victories come after several of Trump's earlier primary picks had lost, underscoring his continued sway in key contests.
Graham's victory margin of roughly five points came despite a widely criticized debate moment where she admitted limited familiarity with national security matters involving Taiwan and the South China Sea. Trump's personal rally appearance and $827,000 in super PAC spending helped offset that stumble. Mazzei's win was far narrower, edging Drummond by about half a point in a contest where Trump had attacked his opponent in the days before voting. These results follow earlier losses for Trump's picks, including South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in the gubernatorial race. Elsewhere Tuesday, Oklahoma Democrats selected a socialist for the Senate, and Georgia filled the late Rep. David Scott's seat.
These results could signal that Trump's endorsement remains decisive in Republican primaries, particularly when paired with substantial super PAC spending. Voters in South Carolina and Oklahoma may see their parties' direction reinforced, while candidates nationally might calculate that securing presidential backing outweighs other qualifications. The narrow margins, however, suggest the president's influence may be strongest in races where he invests heavily, potentially shaping how future GOP contenders approach primaries and general election positioning.