Electoral losses of 'Trump's candidates' worry Republicans
The return of President Donald Trump to the campaign trail in South Carolina, coinciding with the activity of his running mate, J.D. Vance, in Ohio, was not merely an attempt to bolster struggling Republican candidates. It revealed concerns that the President’s popularity does not automatically transfer to every supporter, and that his base may not mobilize with the same enthusiasm for the midterm elections. Consequently, Trump urged his supporters to treat November as if he were on the ballot, warning that a loss in Congress could reopen the door to investigations and his impeachment.
Trump chose South Carolina to test his influence. The state is conservative, the race is Republican, and expected turnout in the runoff is limited to the most committed voters. Nevertheless, Darlene Graham, sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, failed to win the primary outright in the first round, despite Trump’s push to appoint her to her brother’s seat and his early endorsement of her candidacy.
The New York Times described the race as a significant indicator of Trump’s support strength and the biggest test for Graham, particularly because the participants are core members of the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) base. If she loses the race, the message will extend beyond the state. Graham received approximately 32.7 percent of the vote, compared to 24.6 percent for Representative Ralph Norman, sending both to a runoff. However, her campaign suffered a setback when she admitted during a debate that she was not sufficiently informed on national security issues, in response to a question about Taiwan and the South China Sea.
The Wall Street Journal reported that she also erred by claiming South Carolina has a population of 50 million, when its actual population is around 5.6 million, providing her opponents with additional material to question her readiness to succeed her brother, who was known for his deep involvement in foreign policy.
Rather than defending her competence, Trump reframed the contest as a test of loyalty to him. He portrayed opposition to Graham as opposition to him personally, stating that her critics were attacking her because they wanted to defeat him. He also downplayed her lack of experience, arguing that her focus on food and meat prices was closer to the state’s priorities, and that national security was his domain.
