Trump’s Endorsement Power Tested in South Carolina Senate Runoff and Oklahoma Governor Race

President Donald Trump’s influence over the Republican Party faces a significant test on Tuesday as voters head to the polls for runoff elections in South Carolina and Oklahoma. Trump has thrown his weight behind two candidates seeking nomination in high-stakes races, making the outcomes a referendum on his endorsement clout in primary contests this election cycle.

In South Carolina, Trump is backing Darline Graham in her quest to secure the Republican Senate nomination and succeed her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died unexpectedly this summer at age 71. Graham, appointed to fill the remainder of her brother’s term by Gov. Henry McMaster, faces conservative Rep. Ralph Norman in the runoff after neither candidate achieved a majority in the initial primary two weeks ago.

Graham has assembled a formidable coalition of supporters beyond the president. Sen. Tim Scott and Rep. Russell Fry, both influential Republicans in the state, back her candidacy. Trump rallied for Graham on Friday in Myrtle Beach, urging South Carolinians to vote for her as if he were on the ballot himself.

Norman, seeking to counter Trump’s endorsement advantage, has emphasized his own support for the president while questioning the wisdom of backing Graham. He secured the backing of former Gov. Mark Sanford, a fiscal conservative who launched a long-shot 2020 presidential bid against Trump and later championed Norman based on concerns about national debt. Norman also has the support of former Gov. Nikki Haley, drawing a contrast with Trump.

Trump’s endorsement record in South Carolina has proven uneven recently. He backed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette for the GOP gubernatorial nomination earlier this year, but she lost decisively in the runoff to state Attorney General Alan Wilson. A South Carolina Republican consultant suggested the South Carolina races are becoming “a referendum on Trump,” noting the president needed to demonstrate victory in the state.

In Oklahoma, Trump is supporting former state budget secretary Mike Mazzei in the Republican gubernatorial runoff against state Attorney General Gentner Drummond. The GOP nominee will be heavily favored in the general election in the Republican-dominated state, with term-limited Gov. Kevin Stitt unable to seek another term.

Nationally, Trump’s endorsement track record has shown mixed results this cycle. While he touted on social media that his endorsements are “stronger than ever,” five of his gubernatorial picks have fallen short in Republican primaries. Beyond Evette, those losses include Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Iowa Rep. Randy Feenstra, Wyoming education official Megan Degenfelder, and Minnesota businessman Mike Lindell.

GOP strategist Ryan Williams acknowledged that Trump’s endorsement provides substantial advantages in Republican primaries but stressed it is not a guarantee of victory. “If there are underlying issues with a candidacy, those can pose problems that even an endorsement can’t overcome,” Williams told Fox News Digital, while noting the president maintains firm control over the party even when endorsed candidates lose.

A special election runoff in Georgia to fill a congressional seat vacated by Democratic Rep. David Scott’s April death will also occur Tuesday. The contest between former Gwinnett County School Board Chair Everton Blair and Marcye Scott, the late congressman’s daughter, will determine which Democrat fills the remaining months of the term, further testing Republican control of the House.