S Carolina Rep Ralph Norman leads in race to replace Lindsey Graham, ahead of Trump-backed sister

South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman is ahead of Trump-backed Darline Graham in the Republican primary to replace her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, who unexpectedly died earlier this month, according to a new poll.

The primary is for the November race, for Graham's open seat. His sister has been appointed to the seat in the interim. 

Overall, Norman led the crowded field with 22% support among likely voters in the latest Emerson College survey. Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., who was appointed to complete the remainder of her brother's term, placed second with 19%.

Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., earned 12% support while former Rep. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., earned 11%. Mark Lynch, who previously challenged Graham in the primary, earned 7%.

Norman previously sought the party nomination for governor, but placed third in that field, behind state Attorney General Alan Wilson and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, R-S.C.

President Donald Trump has endorsed Graham to replace her brother, but his endorsement hasn't proven the deciding factor in the Palmetto State. In the gubernatorial primary, he backed Evette, who narrowly placed first in the first round, but he ultimately issued a double endorsement, backing Wilson as well in the runoff when it became apparently that he would win decisively.

Conducted July 28-29, the survey questioned 500 likely South Carolina voters and has a margin of error of +/- 4.4%.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.