By admin 
Gov. Henry McMaster is now publicly backing U.S. Sen. Darline Graham for a full six-year term in the Senate after he appointed her to the role to finish her late brother’s term.
Read more SC’s Gov. McMaster endorses Darline Graham for full Senate term ahead of Trump rally
Graham is in a runoff against U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman for the Republican nomination to replace Lindsey Graham on the November ballot.
McMaster appointed Graham to finish her late brother’s term in the U.S. Senate two days after his sudden death. McMaster did not appoint Graham with the intention for her to compete for a full term, though it wasn’t unexpected, he told reporters Aug. 11.
Members of McMaster’s inner circle have already endorsed Graham. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Cody Simpson, McMaster’s former chief executive assistant, said they backed Graham last week after the primary.
Other high-ranking Republicans, like U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, U.S. Rep. William Timmons and House Speaker Murrell Smith have endorsed Graham. U.S. Rep. Russell Fry, who finished third in the special primary, also endorsed Graham after the runoff.
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Former Gov. Mark Sanford, who finished fourth in the special primary, said Friday in a social media post he would vote for Norman. Former Gov. Nikki Haley, state Treasurer Curtis Loftis, U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace and members of the hard-line conservative South Carolina House Freedom Caucus also endorsed Norman.
“Since July, Darline Graham has stepped up and immediately begun working to serve the people of South Carolina,” McMaster posted on social media. “Throughout her time in the U.S. Senate, she has stood for the values that South Carolinians live by, continued Lindsey Graham’s work, and stood firmly with President (Donald) Trump to advance his America First agenda.”
McMaster’s endorsement comes as Trump is scheduled to hold a rally in Myrtle Beach to support Graham’s candidacy four days before the runoff.
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