Trump endorses Darline Graham in U.S. Senate race to succeed her brother on ballot

President Donald Trump threw his support behind Darline Graham Nordone for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination, a position opened up by the sudden death of longtime lawmaker Lindsey Graham.

A special election will be held August 11. Filing for the position opens at noon July 21 and closes July 28.

Darline Graham has not formally announced a campaign for the now open U.S. Senate seat when Trump made his endorsement. Media reports say she is considering a campaign, and Trump said he asked her to run in a Truth Social post Friday afternoon.

“I hope Darline does this, in that there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. “Darline, who comes from an absolutely incredible family, has been a WINNER all of her life and, should she accept, has my Complete and Total Endorsement in the Special Election for U.S. Senate in South Carolina.”

Graham, the younger sister of Lindsey Graham, was appointed to finish off her late brother’s term by Gov. Henry McMaster on Monday. The term ends Jan. 3, 2027.

She had never held elected office before and serves as commissioner on the South Carolina Commission for the Blind. Graham also worked as a business services and communication director at the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department.

If Graham formally files to run, she’ll have to juggle speedy primary campaigning and U.S. Senate duties, in which she is a newcomer.

Graham met with Trump in the Oval Office on Thursday, according to a White House schedule. Her interest in running for the six-year term was first reported by Semafor Friday morning.

If she wins the nomination and general election, Graham will be the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate to represent South Carolina.

Trump previously endorsed Lindsey Graham, a close political ally in congress, for reelection. The late senator won the Republican nomination easily, with about 57% of the vote, in June against five challengers.

Lindsey Graham died Saturday, with a preliminary report indicating he died from an aortic dissection — a tear in the aorta— due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. He never married or had children, but he was very close with his sister Darline Graham. She appeared in campaign stops and political advertising for Graham several times over the years.

His death triggered a special primary election for a new Republican nominee to run in November for a six-year term to the U.S. Senate. Several potential candidates are reportedly weighing runs. Former senate candidate Mark Lynch already announced he would compete for the nomination again after Graham beat him in June. Congressman Ralph Norman has said an announcement is forthcoming.

The winner of the August special election will compete against Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in November.

How important Trump’s support will be in the special primary remains to be seen. A poll from Emerson College conducted earlier this week found 41% of 500 registered voters said a Trump endorsement in the U.S. Senate special election would make them more likely to support his candidate. An equal share said it wouldn’t make a difference.

The president endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in the open governor’s race earlier this year, and she went on to finish first in the June 9 primary. However, after polling indicated she was falling behind the in the runoff even with the president’s support, Trump co-endorsed her competitor, Attorney General Alan Wilson. Wilson won the Republican nomination by 37 percentage points.

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott said Wednesday Darline Graham was off to a “remarkable start” before Trump endorsed.

“I don’t know any reason why we would not see Darline as a seriously good fit for the state,” Scott said. “But there are going to be options for the voters to decide.”

This is a breaking news story and will be updated

Trump endorses Darline Graham in U.S. Senate race to succeed her brother on ballot

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