Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer stunned his co-hosts Tuesday by predicting that Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., will defeat Darline Graham in South Carolina’s closely watched Republican Senate primary.
Speaking on “The Huddle,” Spicer said the contest remained “dead even” heading into Tuesday night and noted that Graham had not climbed above the critical 50% mark in polling.
Spicer argued that Graham’s campaign and its powerful Republican allies had already deployed nearly every available resource in an effort to propel her across the finish line.
“They’ve thrown everything at it,” Spicer said, pointing to a Politico report that the campaign had spent nearly $1 million on text messages and get-out-the-vote efforts.
Spicer also noted that Republican South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott appeared on “Hannity” Monday night to publicly support Graham. President Donald Trump has endorsed Graham as well.
“They’ve thrown in the kitchen sink, the trash compactor, the faucets, they’ve thrown everything at this race,” Spicer said.
Despite those endorsements and campaign efforts, Spicer ultimately predicted that Norman would prevail.
“I will say, I think Ralph Norman’s going to come out ahead tonight,” he concluded.
South Carolina Republicans will decide Tuesday who they want to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham’s sister, secured Trump’s endorsement in the contest, while Norman has continued his campaign without the president’s backing.
Norman acknowledged that he would have welcomed Trump’s support but said Republican voters in South Carolina would make the final decision.
“Would I have liked his endorsement? Yeah, I would,” Norman told The New York Times. “But we didn’t, and that’s fine. The people in South Carolina are going to pick their next senator, though.”
Darline Graham’s family connection and high-profile endorsements have not guaranteed her an easy path through the primary.
A video posted to social media Saturday showed Graham getting into a tense exchange with a woman who was recording her during a campaign event.
“Is your phone recording this?” Graham asked.
The woman confirmed that it was and responded that phones are commonly used to record politicians at political events.
“It kinda does bother me that you’re recording me — I’m being honest — without my permission,” Graham replied before a staff member ended the exchange.
Graham has also faced questions over a debate gaffe in which she acknowledged that she was not well-informed about national security, though she added that she supports the military.
Scott defended Graham during a Sunday appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” telling host Kristen Welker that the candidate is “the real deal.”
“Highly qualified, incredibly competent, ready for prime time,” Scott said. “She’s ready to tackle the issues of affordability for the American people, and she’s ready to serve the great state of South Carolina in the United States Senate.”
Scott then issued a direct appeal to GOP voters across the state.
“I ask every Republican in South Carolina, vote Darline Graham on Tuesday,” he said.
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