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Darline Graham Faces Runoff Against Ralph Norman as President Trump Tests His Endorsement Power

South Carolina Republicans are set to choose a new Senate nominee in a special runoff on Tuesday, featuring Darline Graham and Ralph Norman. Darline Graham, a political novice who was appointed to fill her brother's seat, has received a significant personal endorsement from President Trump. The president has spent considerable time and money on her campaign, including a recent in-person rally in Myrtle Beach where he urged voters to "pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot." While Darline Graham is the favorite in prediction markets, she faces criticism for a debate gaffe regarding national security. Ralph Norman, a conservative member of the House Freedom Caucus, has built a reputation as a "disruptor" candidate. The outcome of the race will serve as a significant test of President Trump's political clout, as he has faced several losses with his endorsees in other states. If Darline Graham wins, it will demonstrate his ability to power a virtual stranger to office. If Ralph Norman wins, it may suggest that voters are beginning to take the reins of the party's agenda independently of his personal endorsement.

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