Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., is currently leading the race for the Republican Senatorial nomination in a special primary, but appears likely to fall shy of the support threshold to avoid a runoff, a recent survey has revealed.

The primary is a special contest to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who died unexpectedly this month after already winning the Republican primary. He was seeking reelection in November.

Overall, Norman led the crowded field with 22% support among likely voters in the latest Emerson College survey. Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., who was appointed to complete the remainder of her brother's term, placed second with 19%.

Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., earned 12% support while former Rep. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., earned 11%. Mark Lynch, who previously challenged Graham in the primary, earned 7%.

Norman previously sought the party nomination for governor, but placed third in that field, behind state Attorney General Alan Wilson and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, R-S.C.

President Donald Trump has endorsed Graham to replace her brother, but his endorsement hasn't proven the deciding factor in the Palmetto State. In the gubernatorial primary, he backed Evette, who narrowly placed first in the first round, but he ultimately issued a double endorsement, backing Wilson as well in the runoff when it became apparently that he would win decisively.

Conducted July 28-29, the survey questioned 500 likely South Carolina voters and has a margin of error of +/- 4.4%.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.