Trump Backs Graham in S.C. Runoff, but Core Voters Break for Norman

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — President Donald Trump traveled to South Carolina on Friday to campaign for Sen. Darline Graham ahead of Tuesday's Republican primary runoff, but some of his own supporters in the crowd said they would back her opponent, Rep. Ralph Norman.

Graham was appointed by the state's governor last month to complete the term of her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died at age 71. She is now seeking a full six-year term with Trump's endorsement.

Her campaign has faced criticism after a recent debate in which she said, "national security is not my thing." Trump addressed the comment directly during his rally, downplaying its significance and contrasting her with her late brother.

"Lindsey Graham was very much about the world," Trump said. "Darline is more about affordability."

Norman, a member of the House Freedom Caucus who has served five terms in Congress, has campaigned on his legislative record and his consistency in supporting Trump — even while running against the president's chosen candidate.

At the rally, Daniel Musick, a Myrtle Beach voter, said he viewed Trump as "the best president we've ever had" but would still vote for Norman. "It's unfortunate for Graham," Musick said.

Trump used his speech to press voters to treat the election as if he were on the ballot himself. "When Trump's on the ballot, my people come and they vote," he said. "But when I'm not on the ballot, my people don't always come, and they don't vote for senators, congressmen, and other Republicans."

He urged the crowd: "Pretend that I'm on the ballot. Just come and vote. It's so important."

At the close of his remarks, Trump said, "I am on the ballot. We're all on the ballot. Our country's on the ballot."

Trump called White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt to the stage to praise her work. Leavitt is set to leave her position at month's end. Trump quipped that she "just had a baby, and I just learned she loves the baby more than she loves Donald Trump, and I'm very angry."

The winner of Tuesday's primary will be the heavy favorite in the fall general election. South Carolina is reliably Republican, and the primary winner will face Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews.

"Lindsey Graham was very much about the world," Trump said. "Darline is more about affordability."

At the rally, Daniel Musick, a Myrtle Beach voter, said he viewed Trump as "the best president we've ever had" but would still vote for Norman. "It's unfortunate for Graham," Musick said.

He urged the crowd: "Pretend that I'm on the ballot. Just come and vote. It's so important."

At the close of his remarks, Trump said, "I am on the ballot. We're all on the ballot. Our country's on the ballot."

The winner of Tuesday's primary will be the heavy favorite in the fall general election. South Carolina is reliably Republican, and the primary winner will face Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews.