President Donald Trump talks to a crowd at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, at a rally supporting U.S. Sen. Darline Graham. (Photo by Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette)
MYRTLE BEACH — As thousands of supporters braved 90-degree heat for the chance to rally with President Donald Trump, South Carolina’s current and former governors issued opposing endorsements in the U.S. Senate runoff.
The president traveled to the Grand Strand to support U.S. Sen. Darline Graham days ahead of Tuesday’s election.
Darline Graham has the president’s backing as she faces U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman in Tuesday’s runoff to replace her late brother, Lindsey Graham, as the GOP’s Senate nominee for the next six-year term.
Gov. Henry McMaster added his endorsement Friday as early voting ended.
“Since July, Darline Graham has stepped up and immediately begun working to serve the people of South Carolina,” McMaster wrote on social media. “She has stood for the values that South Carolinians live by, continued Lindsey Graham’s work and stood firmly with President Trump to Advance his America First agenda.”
McMaster joins U.S. Rep. Russell Fry, the third-place finisher in the Aug. 11 primary, and Sen. Tim Scott in supporting the political newcomer.
Meanwhile, Norman got the backing of South Carolina’s two prior governors: former Govs. Nikki Haley and Mark Sanford, who placed fourth in the Aug. 11 primary. Norman was an ally of both governors while in the state House, as he consistently voted to uphold their vetoes.
“I have seen first hand his experience in legislative circles, matched by a conservative voting record and conservative stands,” Sanford wrote on social media earlier Friday.
As the former 1st District congressman, Sanford also worked alongside Norman toward the end of his last stint in the U.S. House.
Haley announced her support for Norman last week. She also backed his unsuccessful run for governor earlier this year. Norman backed Haley’s 2024 bid for president against Trump.
While Trump, Fry and Graham rallied in Fry’s home district, Norman held a town hall in Anderson, in place of a state Republican Party event canceled in the wake of Trump’s announced visit.
The rally at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center attracted people from across South Carolina and beyond.
Stephanie Gray woke her family up at 4:30 a.m. and drove four hours from their farm in Barnwell to see the president and Graham.
“It’s important that they know our history,” Gray said of her family, especially her 10-year-old daughter whom she homeschools.
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“This is probably a once-in-a-lifetime thing for her because we’re so rural,” Gray added. “We don’t get to see things like this that often.”
Gray, 40, also said she’ll support Graham in the upcoming runoff. Her 30 years in state government includes heading the Commission for the Blind for the last seven.
“She’s helped with South Carolina’s disabled and the blind and she’s a hard worker,” Gray said. “That’s good enough for me.”
Jennifer McDonald Bodge was among voters who didn’t have to travel far.
“I like her even better than her brother,” said the Myrtle Beach resident, who was near the front of the line to enter the event.
On the other hand, Joanne Arneberg, also of Myrtle Beach, was one of nearly 13,800 Horry County voters who cast a ballot for Fry in the 10-candidate primary.
She’s still trying to decide whether she’ll support Graham or Norman in the runoff.
“I don’t know much about Darlene Graham or Ralph Norman for that matter,” she said. “The thing I appreciate about Ralph Norman is that he’s his own businessman. And he’s been in office already, so he understands the D.C. area.”
As a first-time candidate, Graham doesn’t have a political record, “so where does she really stand? What is she really thinking?” said the 61-year-old who works in construction. “It’s hard to determine is she just running on the coattails of her brother, or does she really have some strong opinions.”
Arneberg’s husband Scott, a 62-year-old salesman, said he voted for Graham and will continue supporting her.
“I like that she stepped up after her brother dying and made a point to fill his shoes,” he said.
The crowd also included people who can’t vote for either candidate.
The Guglielmettis, a New York family who visits Myrtle Beach several times a year, pushed up their vacation when they heard the president would be in town.
“It was easier to come to South Carolina than it was to go to Madison Square Garden,” Louis Guglielmetti said.
Friday marked the first time he, his wife and his 19-year-old daughter were able to see Trump in person.
“I want to hear that the future will be better for my children and my grandchildren,” Louis Guglielmetti said. “That’s what I’m concerned about: the future of this country.”
Courtesy of South Carolina Daily Gazette
