Trump-Backed Candidates Win Consecutive Republican Primaries, Showcasing Control Over Party

Republican primary candidates backed by strong endorsements from U.S. President Donald Trump secured consecutive victories against intra-party rivals on the 25th (local time), cementing their spots in the midterm general election.

Darleen Graham won the Republican primary for U.S. senator representing South Carolina, while Mike Mazzei emerged victorious in the Oklahoma gubernatorial primary.

The results are interpreted as reaffirming President Trump's enduring grip on the ruling Republican Party.

Incumbent U.S. Senator Darleen Graham ultimately won the Republican runoff for the U.S. Senate special primary election in South Carolina held that day.

With over 99% of the votes counted, Darleen Graham secured 193,396 votes (a 52.5% vote share), defeating five-term U.S. Representative Ralph Norman, who garnered 175,327 votes (a 47.6% vote share).

As a result, Senator Darleen Graham will face Democratic candidate Annie Andrews in the general midterm election this coming November.

South Carolina is a Republican stronghold where no Democratic candidate has won a U.S. Senate seat in decades.

Originally, the candidate primary held on June 9 was won by Darleen Graham's older brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, but following his passing on July 11, both the incumbent Senate seat and the Republican nomination for the November general election became vacant simultaneously.

Following her brother's sudden death, Darleen Graham assumed the remainder of her brother's term through January of next year, backed by a recommendation from President Trump and a decision by the South Carolina governor.

President Trump expressed his support for Darleen Graham in both the primary and the general election, encouraging her run.

A special primary election to select the Republican candidate was previously held on August 11, but because no candidate won a majority back then, the top two contenders—Darleen Graham and Ralph Norman—faced off in head-to-head competition in this runoff.

Recently, Senator Graham had found herself on the defensive after responding to a question about the Chinese threat to Taiwan during a debate with Norman by saying, "I don't know much about national security," exposing a lack of experience.

Nevertheless, President Trump visited Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in person on the 21st to deliver a speech reaffirming his support for Senator Graham, which is analyzed to have ultimately helped Graham secure the Republican nomination.

In the Republican runoff for the Oklahoma gubernatorial primary held the same day, Tulsa-based investment firm founder and former state senator Mike Mazzei defeated incumbent State Attorney General Gentner Drummond, according to the Associated Press.

As of 11:40 p.m. Eastern Time, with over 95% of the votes counted, Mazzei received 186,678 votes (50.28% of the vote), while Drummond garnered 184,631 votes (49.72%).

Consequently, Mazzei will face Democratic candidate Cindy Munson, the minority leader of the state House of Representatives, in the November general election.

The last time a Democratic politician was elected governor of Oklahoma was 20 years ago under Brad Henry.

Initially, in the Republican primary held last June, Drummond slightly edged out Mazzei with 26.3% of the vote compared to Mazzei's 26.0%, but the outcome flipped in this runoff.

The Oklahoma gubernatorial primary was also viewed as a test of President Trump's intra-party influence.

President Trump had criticized Drummond as a "fake Republican" after Drummond gave passive responses during a 2024 congressional hearing when asked about the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot and his impeachment.

Until the eve of the runoff, President Trump urged Oklahoma Republicans to cast their ballots for Mazzei, warning that Drummond "would be a disaster."

Incumbent Governor Kevin Stitt, who is term-limited and scheduled to step down in January of next year, also publicly expressed his support for Mazzei in early July.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.