Sen. Lindsey Graham wins GOP primary, defeating wealthy challenger in South Carolina

2026 ElectionSen. Lindsey Graham wins GOP primary, defeating wealthy challenger in South CarolinaGraham spent millions to defeat a primary opponent, NBC News projects, after receiving President Donald Trump’s endorsement last year.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Lindsey Graham at Capitol Hill in 2023.Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP via Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJune 9, 2026, 8:44 PM EDTBy Bridget BowmanSen. Lindsey Graham has won his Republican primary in South Carolina, NBC News projects, after spending millions to secure the nomination. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Graham faced multiple primary challengers on Tuesday, but the biggest threat came from self-funding businessman Mark Lynch, who loaned his campaign $5 million. Graham’s campaign spent more than $13 million on ads in the race, according to AdImpact, as he battled Lynch for the GOP nod.Graham got a boost from Trump, who endorsed the four-term senator last year, and Graham touted his record and his work with Trump in the primary. In one campaign ad, a narrator said Trump “delivered on his promise to close the border” with Graham’s help, adding that Graham is “there for South Carolina, delivering for President Trump.” Trump also recently slammed Lynch as a “lunatic,” criticizing his support for GOP Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, which Graham highlighted on the airwaves. The Graham campaign also attacked Lynch for past arrests on charges related to cocaine and driving under the influence. Lynch has said he sought treatment and “got clean and sober.”Lynch, meanwhile, argued that Graham has been in office for too long, saying the state was “done with attorneys and career politicians,” and he highlighted Graham’s past clashes with Trump. One ad from the Lynch campaign was solely footage of Trump slamming Graham back in 2016.Graham and Trump’s relationship has evolved since then, and the senator has become a...