10 candidates set for South Carolina’s special Republican primary to replace Sen. Lindsey Graham

Aug. 10 (UPI) — South Carolina Republicans are set to head to the polls Tuesday to select a nominee for November’s election to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Ten candidates are facing off in the special primary, which is open to any eligible voters who didn’t vote in the Democratic primary in June. Polls were scheduled to be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EDT, WJCL-TV in Savannah, Ga., reported.

To receive the nomination, a candidate must receive at least 50% of the vote. If no candidate does, there will be a runoff Aug. 25 for the two candidates with the most votes.

The Washington Post reported that though none of the candidates is clearly aligned with President Donald Trump, he has attempted to rally support for Lindsey Graham’s sister, Sen. Darline Graham, whom Gov. Henry McMaster appointed as the late senator’s temporary replacement after his death last month. President Donald Trump urged McMaster to make the appointment and has also encouraged Darline Graham to run for the position permanently.

Facing off against Darline Graham are:

— Dave Buckner, an attorney who previously ran against Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., for a seat in the House

— Danny Lee Ford II, a farmer

— U.S. Rep. Russell Fry

— Mark Lynch, a businessman who lost to Lindsey Graham in the June primary

— Mark McBride, the former mayor of Myrtle Beach

— U.S. Ralph Norman

— Glenda Gail Parker, a retired Air Force officer

— former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, who also served in the U.S.

— Samuel Shepherd, a biomedical engineer