What to Know About South Carolina's Election to Replace Lindsey Graham

Republicans in South Carolina are heading to the polls on Tuesday to decide who will succeed the late Senator Lindsey Graham in the U.S. Senate. Graham's unexpected death from cardiovascular disease on July 11 triggered this special election, less than five weeks after his passing.

During his 23-year tenure, Graham was known as a prominent hawk in Congress, advocating for military interventions in various regions. He was also a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, having easily won his Republican primary race on June 9.

A crowded field of ten candidates is competing for the Republican nomination. Among them is Darline Graham, who has been appointed to complete her brother's current term, which ends in January. Businessman Mark Lynch, who was the runner-up in the June primary, is also a contender. Additionally, current members of Congress Russell Fry and Ralph Norman, along with former governor Mark Sanford, are in the race.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern U.S. time. South Carolina law mandates a special election if a primary candidate vacates their seat. Candidates had a one-week window to officially enter the race, starting the second Tuesday after the vacancy occurred.

Darline Graham, initially seen as a placeholder, has emerged as a frontrunner according to a recent poll. The Quantus Insights poll shows her leading with 30.4 percent of the vote. U.S. Representative Ralph Norman is in a distant second place with 17.5 percent, followed closely by fellow Congressman Russell Fry at 16.6 percent. Former Governor Mark Sanford trails in fourth with 15.4 percent.

Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to fill her brother's vacant seat temporarily on July 13, two days after his death. She is the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate.