Scenes from a Special Election in SC
Photos and words by Sean Rayford
Kristin Buchman, with her daughters, Palmer, left, and Blair, uses a voting machine at American Legion Post 7 during a special election for U.S. Senate in Lexington, South Carolina Tuesday, August 11, 2026. The special election was necessitated by the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham. (Photo by Sean Rayford for The New York Times)
My photo assignment for the New York Times on Tuesday, August 11 had me covering the special election in South Carolina for U.S. Senate. The passing of Sen. Lindsey Graham required South Carolina Republicans to find a new candidate for the coming midterm.
Taking a strong lead was Graham’s sister, Darline Graham and after winning the most votes (but not 50%+) on Tuesday she will now face Ralph Norman in a runoff for the nomination.
The winner will face Democrat Annie Andrews in November.
Sen. Darline Graham finishes her speech to members of the media on election night at As Told By Studios in Columbia, South Carolina Tuesday, August 11, 2026. (Photo by Sean Rayford for The New York Times)
A sign for a polling location at St. James Lutheran Church during a special election for U.S. Senate in Lexington, South Carolina Tuesday, August 11, 2026. The special election was necessitated by the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham. (Photo by Sean Rayford for The New York Times)
A man uses a voting machine at St. James Lutheran Church during a special election for U.S. Senate in Lexington, South Carolina Tuesday, August 11, 2026. The special election was necessitated by the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham. (Photo by Sean Rayford for The New York Times)
Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC) speaks to members of the media at Lake Murray Baptist Church, a polling location, during a special election for U.S. Senate in Lexington, South Carolina Tuesday, August 11, 2026. The special election was necessitated by the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham. (Photo by Sean Rayford for The New York Times)
A man uses a voting machine at St. James Lutheran Church during a special election for U.S. Senate in Lexington, South Carolina Tuesday, August 11, 2026. The special election was necessitated by the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham. (Photo by Sean Rayford for The New York Times)
New York Times Tearsheet
Want to learn about photography?
Check out my photography workshops ft: