Mark Lynch backs Ralph Norman in runoff against Lindsey Graham's sister

Former Republican Senate candidate Mark Lynch backed Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., in the runoff to determine the Republican nominee for Senate in South Carolina.

Lynch previously challenged the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., in the primary, but was defeated. He later ran in the special primary to replace Graham, but did not make the runoff. He threw his support behind Norman, who will face Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C.

“I am proud to endorse Ralph Norman for the United States Senate," he said in a statement. "Our country needs someone who will put America First, and the people of South Carolina have shown they are ready for a businessman and someone with a proven conservative record who will be their voice in Washington, D.C.”

Lynch appears to be the first major candidate from the special primary to pick a side in the runoff. Neither Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., nor former Rep. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., have endorsed either candidate as of press time.

While President Donald Trump endorsed Darline Graham, she was unable to avoid a runoff and took roughly 33% of the vote. Trump's endorsement in the Palmetto state has previously proven to be less than decisive.

In the gubernatorial primary, for instance, he backed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, R-S.C., who finished first in the first round. But voters rallied behind Attorney General Alan Wilson for the runoff and he was forced to issue a rare double endorsement to avoid a blemish on his endorsement record.

Lynch lining up behind Norman could be the beginnings of a repeat scenario should Fry and Sanford follow suit.

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