South Carolina GOP Candidates Debate to Replace Late Sen. Lindsey Graham on November Ballot
Republican contenders in South Carolina competed in their first debate ahead of the special primary to fill the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat.
On August 3, 2026, South Carolina Republican candidates seeking to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham participated in their first debate. The event occurred just over a week before the special primary election scheduled for August 11, 2026. Sen. Lindsey Graham, age 71, passed away earlier in July 2026 from an aortic dissection. He had served in the U.S. Senate since the early 2000s. The candidates debated for the opportunity to appear on the November ballot as the Republican nominee for the vacant Senate seat.
Sources
The Hill — South Carolina Republicans jockey to replace Graham on Senate ballot: Key takeaways from first debateTHE QUESTIONS THIS EVENT LEAVES BEHIND