Senator Lindsey Graham has won the Republican Senate primary in South Carolina, according to projections from Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ) and NBC News on June 10, 2026. The four-term incumbent cleared a crowded field to advance to the November general election, where he will seek a fifth term representing the Palmetto State in the U.S. Senate.
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ – Lindsey Graham won the 2026 South Carolina GOP Senate primary on June 9, 2026. ║ ║ – DDHQ projected Graham the winner with approximately 59.1% of the vote. ║ ║ – Graham defeated five Republican challengers without needing a runoff. ║ ║ – President Donald Trump endorsed Graham just days before the primary. ║ ║ – Graham will now face Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews in the November 3, 2026 general election. ║ ╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
What Happened: Lindsey Graham Wins South Carolina Senate Primary
On the night of June 9, 2026, Senator Lindsey Graham secured a decisive victory in the South Carolina Republican Senate primary. Just before 8:30 p.m. ET, Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ) projected Graham the winner with approximately 59.1% of the vote — enough to avoid a runoff and clinch the nomination outright. Under South Carolina election law, a candidate must clear a majority to win the primary without proceeding to a runoff scheduled for June 23, 2026.
Graham’s win marks a significant milestone as he attempts to extend his Senate tenure to a historic fifth term. He has served in the Senate since 2003, having first been elected in 2002.
Who Did Lindsey Graham Beat?
Graham faced five Republican challengers in Tuesday’s primary. The field included:
- Calvin Cowen
- Darius Mitchell
- Mark Lynch — an appliance repair executive who campaigned on the need for new leadership and attacked Graham’s foreign policy record
- Pat Herrmann
- Thomas Dismukes
Of the challengers, Mark Lynch was considered Graham’s most notable opponent, drawing support from conservatives critical of Graham’s hawkish foreign policy stances and his history as a foreign policy interventionist. Lynch and others argued that South Carolina needed fresh leadership in Washington, but they were unable to gain enough traction to force a runoff.
Trump Endorsement Played a Key Role
President Donald Trump’s endorsement, issued just days before the election, was widely seen as a decisive factor in Graham’s win. Trump gave Graham a public boost via Truth Social, stating, “Lindsey has been a wonderful friend, and has always been there when I needed him.” Trump also joined a tele-rally with Graham on the eve of the primary.
The victory is also considered a win for President Trump, who threw his political weight behind the incumbent senator despite some conservatives expressing skepticism about Graham’s ideological consistency. According to The Hill, the Trump endorsement helped neutralize criticism from the MAGA wing of the party.
Additionally, Graham’s campaign was bolstered by support from South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and fellow South Carolina Senator Tim Scott. Chris LaCivita, a senior co-manager from Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, also joined Graham’s 2026 effort as a senior advisor.
Graham’s Campaign Message
Throughout the race, Graham emphasized his decades of experience, his close working relationship with President Trump, and his record of delivering federal resources to South Carolina. He argued that experience and connections matter in Washington.
According to reporting from The Hill, Graham said during the campaign, “I think we need people that know what the hell they’re doing and can deliver, really. And that’s about having somebody in Washington that can deliver for you and your family.”
He also positioned himself as Trump’s strongest ally in the Senate, telling voters, “If you think President Trump’s done a good job, I do too. He’s endorsed me, not my opponents, but me. If you want somebody to go to Washington that can help him, I’m your best choice.”
What’s Next: Graham vs. Annie Andrews in the General Election
Graham will now face Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews in the November 3, 2026 general election. Andrews, a physician, won the Democratic primary on the same night with approximately 61.1% of the vote, according to DDHQ, defeating Brandon Brown and Kyle Freeman.
The South Carolina Senate seat is classified as a Class II Senate seat, one of 33 Senate seats up for election in 2026. The outcome of the Graham vs. Andrews race could have implications for the partisan balance of the U.S. Senate as Democrats look to chip into the current 53-45 Republican majority.
South Carolina remains a reliably Republican state, making Graham a heavy favorite heading into the general election. However, a well-funded Democratic challenger and shifting national dynamics could make the contest more competitive than in past cycles.
Background: Who Is Lindsey Graham?
Senator Lindsey Graham is one of the most recognizable figures in American politics, known for his hawkish foreign policy views, high media profile, and his evolution from a critic of Donald Trump during the 2016 election to one of Trump’s closest Senate allies.
Born on July 9, 1955, in Central, South Carolina, Graham graduated from the University of South Carolina and earned his law degree from USC School of Law. He served in the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserves for over a decade before entering public life. He was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994 and transitioned to the Senate in 2002.
Key career highlights include:
- Member of the Senate Judiciary, Armed Services, and Appropriations Committees
- A leading voice on U.S. foreign policy, military funding, and immigration reform
- One of the managers during the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton
- An early supporter of U.S. aid to Ukraine and one of the Senate’s most prominent defense hawks
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Did Lindsey Graham win the primary in 2026? Yes. Senator Lindsey Graham won the South Carolina Republican Senate primary on June 9, 2026, with approximately 59.1% of the vote, according to Decision Desk HQ.
Who did Lindsey Graham run against in the primary? Graham faced five Republican challengers: Calvin Cowen, Darius Mitchell, Mark Lynch, Pat Herrmann, and Thomas Dismukes.
Did Lindsey Graham need a runoff? No. Graham crossed the majority threshold needed to win outright, avoiding the June 23, 2026 runoff.
Who endorsed Lindsey Graham? President Donald Trump endorsed Graham just before the primary. Graham was also backed by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and Senator Tim Scott.
Who will Lindsey Graham face in the general election? Graham will face Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews, a physician, in the November 3, 2026 general election.
How many terms has Lindsey Graham served? Graham has served four terms in the U.S. Senate since 2003 and is now seeking a fifth term.
What percentage of the vote did Lindsey Graham get? DDHQ projected Graham winning with approximately 59.1% of the Republican primary vote.
Did Lindsey Graham’s primary win surprise you, or do you think Dr. Annie Andrews has what it takes to flip the seat in November? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned for the latest updates as the 2026 midterms heat up!