President Donald Trump is throwing his full support behind Sen. Darline Graham, urging the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham to run for a full six-year Senate term as South Carolina Republicans prepare for a closely watched special election.
In a Truth Social post Friday, Trump said he had personally encouraged Graham to enter the race, calling her “a spectacular person” and “a true American Patriot” who would best carry on her brother’s legacy.
“I have asked Darline to run, for the Good of our Nation,” Trump wrote, adding that there is “nobody better” to represent South Carolina in the U.S. Senate.
Decision could reshape GOP primary
Darline Graham was appointed earlier this week by Gov. Henry McMaster to complete the remainder of her brother’s Senate term after Lindsey Graham died unexpectedly from an aortic tear at age 71. She has privately begun discussing a campaign for the full term and has held conversations with White House officials, according to people familiar with the deliberations.
Her decision could dramatically alter an already competitive Republican primary.
Several prominent Republicans have been mentioned as potential candidates, including Reps. Russell Fry, Nancy Mace, and Ralph Norman, along with Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette. Trump’s endorsement is widely expected to make Darline Graham the immediate frontrunner if she enters the race.
The filing period for the special Republican primary runs from July 21 through July 28, with the primary scheduled for Aug. 11. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a runoff will follow before the November general election.
Funeral services set for late July
As the political maneuvering continues, funeral arrangements for Lindsey Graham have also been finalized.
A memorial service will be held in Washington on July 28, followed by funeral services in South Carolina on July 29. The longtime senator, who served four terms and became one of Trump’s closest allies in Congress, died last weekend after suffering an aortic tear.
A deeply personal succession
The appointment carries special significance given the siblings’ lifelong relationship.
After their parents died within 15 months of one another, Lindsey Graham helped raise his younger sister while launching his own career. Throughout his political life, Darline Graham frequently appeared alongside him at campaign events and public appearances, making her one of his closest confidantes.
Darline Graham has not formally announced whether she will seek the full Senate term, but with Trump’s public endorsement now in hand and the filing deadline just days away, pressure is mounting for her to make a decision.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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