Trump-backed candidates break losing streak in two Republican runoffs
President Donald Trump's preferred candidates won Republican primary runoffs in South Carolina and Oklahoma, according to US media projections. The victories come after a series of defeats for Trump-endorsed contenders, with ten losses earlier in the cycle. Trump had personally campaigned in South Carolina, urging voters to treat the race as if his own name were on the ballot.
The victories mark a reversal for Trump after a stretch of primary losses, with his endorsed candidates having fallen in ten prior contests this cycle, six of them in the preceding two weeks. In South Carolina, Trump personally campaigned for Senator Darline Graham, telling supporters to treat the race as if his name were on the ballot. The MAGA Inc. political group spent over $827,000 on voter outreach for Graham. In Oklahoma, Mike Mazzei’s runoff against Attorney General Gentner Drummond drew more than $9 million in spending, with Trump attacking Drummond for opposing a proposed $4 billion aluminum smelter that Mazzei publicly embraced.
These results could reassure Trump’s political base and Republican donors that his endorsement still carries weight, potentially shaping candidate strategies in upcoming primaries. However, the narrow scope of runoffs and the heavy personal investment suggest influence may be conditional, not automatic. Voters in these states may feel their choices were framed as loyalty tests, which could deepen partisan divisions or, conversely, energize turnout. The outcome may also affect Trump’s perceived standing ahead of broader elections, influencing how both allies and rivals calibrate their positions.