Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha on Wednesday suggested that President Trump's political influence may be waning in South Carolina after his endorsed candidate, Darline Graham, secured only 52 percent of the vote in the state's Republican primary runoff.
Speaking on NewsNation's "Cuomo," Rocha told host Chris Cuomo that the result "kind of got perking my ears," noting that a Trump-backed candidate should typically dominate a GOP primary. "But I am going to say something's going on when Donald Trump can only deliver 52 percent," Rocha said. "I get it was a special election. She's only been running a little bit. I even know that Lindsey Graham had 40 percent of votes against him in the last primary. But Donald Trump should be getting 70, 80, 90 percent in a Republican primary."
Graham, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), defeated Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) on Tuesday in a runoff to fill the seat left vacant after Lindsey Graham's sudden death in July. Graham had Trump's endorsement, while Norman drew support from several state GOP figures and former Gov. Nikki Haley.
The narrow margin—52.5 percent to 47.6 percent, according to Decision Desk HQ—has some Democrats eyeing the seat, though the district remains heavily Republican. Graham will face Democrat Annie Andrews, a Charleston pediatrician, in the general election. DDHQ gives Graham an 81 percent chance of winning.
Conservative commentator Mark Davis, also a guest on Cuomo's show, defended Graham, calling her the "deep underdog" because "nobody knew who she was on July 10, the day before Lindsey died." Davis argued that Trump's endorsement "bring her across the finish line is a major, major bit of evidence to the strength of his endorsement."
Graham's campaign was not without stumbles. A week before the runoff, she fumbled a question about Taiwan during a debate, admitting she was "not that informed" on the issue. Trump defended her, saying she was "being honest." Her rivals also pointed to her lack of experience, but the endorsement proved decisive in the end.
Rocha's comments reflect a broader Democratic narrative that Trump's endorsement power may be cracking, especially after similar tight races elsewhere. However, the outcome in South Carolina's 3rd District, a safely Republican seat, is unlikely to shift the national landscape.
