Ralph Norman concedes
10:35 p.m.
Fifth District U.S. House Rep. Ralph Norman's almost-comeback came to a close Tuesday.
The congressman had just two months ago lost his bid to gain the Republican Party nomination to run for governor. At that time, he announced plans to found a conservative think tank in his native Rock Hill.
But following the unexpected July death of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, Norman jumped into the race to succeed him and quickly became a leading candidate.
Two weeks ago, Norman advanced in the Republican special election to succeed Graham as the GOP's Senate nominee. He advanced to face Graham's sister, Darline, who'd been appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster to serve out the remainder of her brother's term, into January.
But despite strong support from the Upstate — where the Grahams grew up — Norman's efforts to find further office fell short, as Graham took the runoff election and became her party's candidate.
Norman is not seeking another term in the 5th Congressional District.
During his concession speech Tuesday evening, Norman said, "I hate this for South Carolina." To resounding boos aimed at President Donald Trump's endorsement of Graham, Norman questioned why Trump weighed in on South Carolina's Senate race to begin with.
" The president got involved," he said. "He has that right. That's his prerogative. His policies are good [but] I never understood why he got in this race."
Norman added: "It is what it is, and I'll accept it."
Norman supporter Jennifer Rutledge said she is disappointed, and believes Trump "had a big effect on the race," even though his endorsement of Graham made no difference to her.
Nor did it make a difference for fellow Norman supporter Rick Moessner, who came to Rock Hill from Greenville County because "Ralph's the man."
Moessner, who backed Alan Wilson to be the GOP's gubernatorial candidate, said that he supported Norman for Senate for his strong "Constitutional conservative" stance on things, and because he didn't want to see a continued "Graham dynasty" in the U.S. Senate.
He said the president's endorsement of Graham likely came from "bad advice" and that Trump's perspective on South Carolina's affairs wasn't important to those who back Constitutional conservatives.
Norman said has no regrets and no plans to disappear into the background.
"Something good will come of this," he said. "I don't know what it is, but something good will come out of it."
He said he plans to support Graham and South Carolina however he can, even after his time in congress expires in January.
Sen. Darline Graham wins runoff election
9:01 p.m.
U.S. Sen. Darline Graham, who was appointed in July to finish out the late Lindsey Graham's term in Senate, defeated U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman in the GOP Senate race, according to the Associated Press.
Graham has received about 52% of the vote so far into the night. Norman was the preferred candidate of about 48% of voters.
Graham will appear on November's General Election ballot.
Counties begin reporting
7:15 p.m.
Chesterfield County, Darlington County and Orangeburg County were the first three counties to report partial results Tuesday evening.
Polls are now closed
7 p.m.
Polls are now closed in the U.S. Senate special GOP primary election.
South Carolina ETV and Public Radio will provide live coverage from 8 to 9 p.m. with public affairs reporter Gavin Jackson. Reporters are stationed at the election events of U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman and U.S. Sen. Darline Graham.
Republican voters cast their ballots
3 p.m.
More than 63,000 early ballots were cast in the runoff race during a three-day early voting window last week.
On Tuesday, GOP voters throughout the state had a final opportunity to vote in the race.
Polls are open
7 a.m.
Republican South Carolina voters will help decide the party's nominee for U.S. Senate in a runoff election after no candidate received a majority of the vote in the Aug. 11 special primary election.
Polls opened in the runoff race to decide the GOP's new nominee just about six weeks after U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham died.
The race between U.S. Sen. Darline Graham and U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, who represents South Carolina's 5th Congressional District, has featured an abundance of campaign mail, text messages and advertisements.
Graham received about 33% of the vote in the special primary, while Norman had about 25% of the vote share.
The candidates have participated in a single runoff debate for voters to take impressions from.
Polls will be open until 7 p.m. for voters who have yet to participate in the election. More than 63,000 people cast an early ballot during a three-day early voting period.
People who participated in the June Democratic primary election cannot vote Tuesday. But South Carolinians who cast a ballot in the Republican primary or who did not vote at all can make a selection.
Voting locations can be found on the state Election Commission's website.
The winner of the election will appear on November's General Election ballot.
