South Carolina GOP Senate polling shows tight race between Graham Nordone, Norman, Fry, and Sanford

A special election to replace Lindsey Graham that's this close, four days out, tells you something about where South Carolina Republicans actually are right now. Trump's endorsement of Graham Nordone usually settles these things fast. It hasn't. Norman, Fry, and Sanford are all still standing, which means a meaningful chunk of primary voters are either skeptical of dynastic succession or just not sure the sister of a departed senator is entitled to the seat by default.

That's not a knock on her. She's been doing the job for months already, filling out the term, and incumbency plus a presidential nod is usually a wrecking ball in a primary like this. The fact that it isn't says the field sees an opening, and voters are willing to look at it. Norman's been a reliable conservative vote in the House for years. Fry has built a real base on the coast. Sanford, love him or not, has never been shy about running against the establishment even when the establishment is his own party.

What's actually interesting here is that Republican voters aren't just falling in line behind a name and an endorsement, which is supposedly the whole story of the Trump-era GOP. Turns out they still want to hear the case. That's healthy, whatever happens Tuesday. A crowded, competitive primary that forces every candidate to actually campaign is better for the eventual nominee than a coronation would have been, especially heading into a general election contest that Republicans need to win comfortably to hold the seat.