Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., announced Monday that she will seek a full six-year term in the U.S. Senate, aiming to carry on the legacy of her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham. Appointed last week by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster to serve out the remainder of her brother’s term until January 2027, Graham stated her intention to run for a complete term in an exclusive interview with Fox News' "Hannity."
"He's worked so hard for so long. I can’t just let that die. I've got to step in and carry on his legacy," Graham said, reflecting on her brother’s sudden death on July 11. She described her brother as a devoted public servant who cared deeply for the people of South Carolina.
Graham, who becomes South Carolina's first female U.S. Senator, indicated a shift in legislative focus compared to her brother. While acknowledging the importance of national security and border protection, she plans to prioritize domestic issues that directly affect constituents. "I said, ‘But talk about also what matters to the average person. The price of groceries, the price of gas, health care. Insurance, those kind of things,’" Graham told host Sean Hannity. "That's what I'm worried about."
Lindsey Graham died at age 71 from an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Darline Graham described the loss as profoundly difficult, calling her brother her "rock."
Before her appointment to the Senate, Graham served as a commissioner for South Carolina’s Commission for the Blind since 2019, managing a $90 million budget and assisting visually impaired individuals in finding employment. She characterized her work there as a passion driven by a "servant's heart."