South Carolina voters are heading to the polls Tuesday for a special primary runoff election to determine who will represent the Republican party in the race to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. The contest features Sen. Darline Graham, the sister of the former senator, and Rep. Ralph Norman.

The election pits the legacy of Lindsey Graham against the political aspirations of his sister, Darline Graham, who was appointed to the seat to complete his term. She faces a challenge from Ralph Norman, a conservative known for his membership in the Freedom Caucus. The winner of this runoff will advance to face Democratic candidate Annie Andrews in the general election in November.

Darline Graham has emphasized her "outsider" status as an advantage, highlighting her endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who held a rally for her in Myrtle Beach. "The critics say I shouldn't run for the Senate. They say I'm not a politician. You know what I say? Guilty as charged," Graham stated at the rally, drawing parallels to Trump's own path before entering elected office.

Conversely, Ralph Norman is campaigning on his established political experience, positioning himself as the more trustworthy choice for conservatives in South Carolina compared to Graham, whom he describes as a "relative unknown." He has also questioned Trump's involvement in a race in a reliably Republican state, suggesting the former president's focus could be better placed on more competitive contests.

Graham has faced criticism from some Republicans regarding her limited political experience and occasional public missteps. During a recent debate, she admitted to not being "that informed on national security," an area that was a significant focus for her late brother. This statement drew criticism from Norman, contrasting sharply with Lindsey Graham's long-standing emphasis on national security matters.

Norman, in campaign advertisements, has criticized what he calls the "establishment" and "insiders" backing their chosen candidate, asserting that "this election is not for sale." The White House, when asked about Norman's comments regarding Trump, has pointed to the former president's previous endorsements of Darline Graham.

The race highlights a division within the state's Republican party, with voters needing to decide between a candidate backed by the former president and emphasizing a fresh perspective, and another candidate who relies on his voting record and conservative credentials.

The outcome of this runoff will set the stage for the general election in November, where the Republican nominee will compete against Democrat Annie Andrews for the Senate seat.