Politics
Oklahoma and South Carolina voters head to polls for key primary runoffs
Republican and Democratic voters are deciding crucial gubernatorial, Senate, and constitutional ballot contests ahead of the midterm elections.
The short version
- Oklahoma Republicans are selecting a gubernatorial nominee in a closely watched runoff testing Donald Trump's endorsement power, while Democrats choose their U.S. Senate candidate.
- South Carolina Republicans are voting in a special U.S. Senate primary runoff to select a nominee to succeed the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.
- Oklahoma voters are also deciding on two statewide ballot measures, including a constitutional amendment regarding voter identification requirements.
Key facts
- The Oklahoma Republican gubernatorial runoff features State Attorney General Gentner Drummond and former state Sen. Mike Mazzei, who nearly tied in the June primary.[Associated Press]
- Trump has endorsed Mike Mazzei in Oklahoma, representing another test of his influence after some of his endorsed gubernatorial candidates lost other 2026 races.[Associated Press]
- In Oklahoma's Democratic U.S. Senate primary runoff, nurse N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas faces attorney Jim Priest, who has held a massive fundraising advantage.[Associated Press]
- Oklahoma's State Question 846, if approved, would add a voter identification requirement to the state constitution, which is already a requirement under state law.[Associated Press]
- In South Carolina, Trump-backed U.S. Sen. Darline Graham, appointed to fill her late brother Lindsey Graham's seat, faces U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman in a Republican runoff.[Associated Press]
- Darline Graham finished first in the South Carolina special primary on August 11 with 33% of the vote, while Norman received 25%.[Associated Press]