President Donald Trump achieved a significant victory on Tuesday night, but some Republicans in key battleground states question whether it was the best allocation of his resources.
Sen. Darline Graham emerged victorious over Rep. Ralph Norman in the South Carolina Senate GOP runoff, offering Trump a much-needed win after setbacks in other recent primaries involving his endorsed candidates.
Graham, who was relatively unknown just six weeks ago, could not have succeeded without Trump’s unwavering support, highlighting his enduring influence among Republican voters in the staunchly conservative state.
However, the outcome of South Carolina’s Senate race does not affect the balance of power in Washington, and GOP strategists involved in crucial swing state campaigns are eager for Trump to shift his focus to them.
“The takeaway here is that the president’s backing remains incredibly potent. His campaign operation can still significantly impact many states,” stated a Republican strategist involved in multiple battleground races, including Georgia, who requested anonymity to discuss Trump’s involvement candidly. “Hopefully, this signals that the president is ready to engage in other crucial areas that hold more significance than South Carolina.”
Trump’s relentless support for Graham was pivotal in the race. He advocated for her appointment to her late brother Sen. Lindsey Graham’s seat, encouraged her candidacy with an early endorsement, supported her through debate missteps, and attended a rare political rally in Myrtle Beach for her. MAGA Inc., Trump’s substantial super PAC, dedicated a portion of its $400 million fund to the race’s final days.
Despite this, Trump has yet to make a substantial move in states that will be critical in the coming months, despite calls from battleground Republicans for him to invest his MAGA Inc. funds there.
“It’s now or never. It’s time to put up or shut up, and it’s crucial to see if he’s truly committed,” the strategist said. “With September and October approaching, it doesn’t seem like there’s any urgency or acknowledgment of our significant deficits in some states.”
In her victory speech in Columbia, Graham expressed her gratitude for Trump’s influence: “Our victory wouldn’t have been possible without you, and we are truly grateful,” she said, emphasizing the state’s strong support for Trump.
Norman’s perspective on Trump’s involvement was less favorable: “The president got involved. That’s his right,” Norman remarked in his concession speech, drawing jeers from his supporters. “His policies are good. I never understood why he joined this race, but it is what it is, and I’ll accept it.”
Norman’s confusion mirrors that of several national and South Carolina Republicans, who question why Trump would invest effort in a secure Republican seat when his MAGA allies like Mike Collins in Georgia, Ken Paxton in Texas, and Michael Whatley in North Carolina face challenging Senate races against Democrats.
“There’s the principle,” commented a North Carolina-based GOP strategist, speaking anonymously about the situation. “If you’re not Trump and these decisions are imposed on you, you’re left wondering, ‘Are you going to help?'”
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Some Republicans worry that while Trump aided Graham’s win, his general unpopularity could be detrimental in competitive battleground states. Several Trump-endorsed candidates recently lost gubernatorial and congressional primaries, including in Georgia and Iowa.
Republicans are confronting a challenging election landscape, influenced by the ongoing unpopular war in Iran, criticism of the administration’s deportation policies, and persistent economic concerns.
“You have a president and potentially a vice president who are politically underwater in the polls, and they might be more helpful by staying out of it,” said Matthew Bartlett, a GOP strategist and former State Department official under Trump.
Nonetheless, Trump dominated the battlegrounds in 2024, and his ability to elevate Graham despite her debate missteps and political inexperience underscores his electoral impact.
The question remains as to when or if he will extend this support to other races.
“I wouldn’t rely on the funding if I were in these states,” the North Carolina strategist added. “He might still provide it, but I wouldn’t count on it. We’re dealing with someone who doesn’t meticulously plan.”
For months, Republicans nationwide have watched Trump amass a substantial war chest, urging him to invest in their campaigns. Trump recently told reporters he plans to spend “a lot of that money” to support “Republican candidates I think are good,” without specifying details.
While some view this as a distraction from broader Republican goals, others see it as the beginning of a significant financial push.
“If they’re spending $800,000 in South Carolina, they’ll invest in the midterms,” said Matt Mackowiak, a Texas-based Republican strategist. “This signals a significant midterm investment because you don’t drop $800,000 in South Carolina and then let everyone fend for themselves. This was a test case.”
Trump’s strategic support for Graham, which some Republicans hope will influence future races, proved successful on election night. Horry County strongly backed Graham following the president’s rally there.
Trump’s endorsement also paved the way for support from key South Carolina Republicans, including Sen. Tim Scott, Gov. Henry McMaster, and Reps. Russell Fry and William Timmons, aiding Graham’s campaign.
Outside spending played a vital role in Graham’s victory. Her campaign and allies outspent Norman by over $5 million in the runoff, according to AdImpact.
Trump’s allies celebrated Graham’s win on Tuesday night.
“The power of the Trump endorsement is alive and well in South Carolina,” said Mike Hahn, a GOP strategist involved in the midterms. “This is a promising start for MAGA Inc. and the president ahead of the midterms.”
