Donald Trump secured a much-needed political reprieve on Tuesday, August 25, as two of his endorsed candidates won Republican primaries in South Carolina and Oklahoma. The victories interrupted a troubling series of defeats for other contenders backed by the former president, providing a boost to his influence within the GOP as the midterm elections approach.
Darline Graham Triumphs in South Carolina Senate Primary
In South Carolina, Darline Graham clinched the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat she inherited following the death of her brother, Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally who passed away in July. Graham defeated ultraconservative congressman Ralph Norman, who also aligned with Trump but lacked the presidential endorsement, according to projections from CNN, CBS, and NBC.
Trump had personally campaigned for Graham in South Carolina the previous week, and he celebrated her win on Tuesday, calling her “a spectacular person and a true American patriot.” With Graham in the Senate, Trump hopes to gain a loyal ally in a chamber where some members of his own party have recently frustrated his legislative agenda.
Graham’s candidacy, however, sparked divisions within the state’s Republican Party. Critics noted her lack of political experience and objected to her inheriting the seat from her brother. That perceived weakness was on display during a televised debate last week, when she struggled to answer a question about Taiwan, telling viewers, “National security is not my thing.”
Mike Mazzei Edges Out Victory in Oklahoma Governor’s Race
In Oklahoma, another Trump favorite, Mike Mazzei, narrowly won the Republican primary for governor. The former local official and wealthy financier defeated Gentner Drummond, the state’s current attorney general, by less than one percentage point—50.3% to 49.7%. Trump had labeled Drummond a “fake Republican” during the campaign.
The two candidates clashed over a massive aluminum refinery project backed by the United Arab Emirates. Trump supports the project, but it faces strong local opposition, according to the Oklahoma Voice. Mazzei’s victory underscores the president’s ability to sway tight races, even when his preferred candidate faces significant headwinds.
A Break from a String of Defeats
The wins for Graham and Mazzei offer a bright spot for Trump, who has recently watched ten of his endorsed candidates lose their primaries, including six in August alone, according to a CNN tally. That number matches the combined total of Trump-backed primary losses in 2018, 2020, and 2024. In 2022, twelve candidates supported by the then-former president lost their primaries.
Among the most stinging defeats was in Michigan earlier this month, when Amir Hassan lost to Tom Smith, a candidate who had previously ended his own campaign. Despite these setbacks, Trump defended his endorsement record on Sunday via his Truth Social platform, insisting that his support remains “as powerful as ever.” He added that some of his losing candidates “were almost impossible to win, but I felt obligated to support them.”
Even when Trump’s preferred candidates have not won, the victors in Republican primaries have largely embraced his brand of politics, illustrating the billionaire’s still-formidable influence over the party. As the midterms draw closer, Tuesday’s results may signal that Trump’s endorsement power is far from diminished.
