Darline Graham wins South Carolina Senate primary runoff despite admitting a lack of national security knowledge
Darline Graham secured a narrow victory in the South Carolina Senate primary runoff, defeating conservative Representative Ralph Norman by a mere 5 percentage points. The win is notable because Graham admitted during a South Carolina Senate debate that she was "not that informed on national security," a topic she had been questioned on regarding U.S. policy toward Taiwan. Despite this admission, she maintained the endorsement of Trump and won the primary. The victory highlights the shifting dynamics of the administration's influence on Republican candidates. While Graham's win is a significant feat for the administration, other Republican candidates face challenges. For instance, Senate candidate Susan Collins is struggling with polling deficits and staffing issues, while Texas Governor Abbott has shifted his stance on the new data-center expansion to address rural voter concerns. Meanwhile, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries met with Jared Kushner to discuss potential common ground on housing and immigration, signaling a move toward a more collaborative relationship with the administration in the future.