Darline Graham, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, has announced her intention to run for his Senate seat. She was appointed to fill the vacancy following her brother's unexpected death and has now confirmed she is seeking a full term in November, with Donald Trump's endorsement.
Graham, 62, described learning of her brother's passing due to an aortic tear as a "nightmare." "It was just unbelievable. It was like I was living a nightmare when I got the unexpected news," she told Fox News. "I can't even tell you how devastated I was when I got the call."
Despite never having held political office, Graham was encouraged by Republican leaders, including Trump, to take over her brother's seat. "Things just started moving so fast. I got the call from the president, and the governor, [Senator] Tim Scott, just thoughtful messages, how much they respected him, true friendship. And then the question, would I serve?" she recalled.
She initially felt politics was "Lindsey's life, not mine, nothing I ever wanted to be." However, after prayer and family discussions, she felt compelled to step up and carry on his legacy.
Graham noted her brother's frequent international travel, particularly to the Middle East and Ukraine, which often caused her concern. "I want you to slow down and take care of yourself," she would tell him. She found peace in knowing he was doing what he loved and was passionate about.
While she has informed President Trump that she will advocate for sanctions against Russia and other foreign policy objectives important to her brother, Graham intends to shift her focus toward domestic policy. "I would watch him and I would be like, Lindsey is talking about national security all the time and I understand that is important, protecting our borders, national security, absolutely, but I started to talk about also what matters to the average person," she said. She highlighted concerns such as grocery prices, gas prices, healthcare, and insurance as areas she wants to address.
Graham acknowledged the significant pressure of her new role but expressed confidence in her ability to work hard, a trait she learned from her brother. She believes her path to national politics may be fate.
Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to serve the remainder of her brother's term, which concludes in January. A person familiar with McMaster's thinking indicated that the governor did not anticipate her running for the seat herself.
President Trump publicly endorsed Graham on social media, urging her to "RUN, DARLINE, RUN!"
Several other candidates are vying for the Republican nomination, including Rep. Ralph Norman, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, and Trump ally Russell Fry. Rep. Nancy Mace has announced she will not enter the race. Businessman Patrick Hermann, Mark Lynch, and attorney Duke Buckner are also running. The filing period for the special Republican primary opens Tuesday, with the primary scheduled for August 11.
The winner of the Republican primary will face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews. South Carolina has consistently elected Republican senators since 2005.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune described Graham as a "strong candidate" who "obviously carries on Lindsey's legacy" but declined to endorse her or any other candidate, stating that South Carolina voters would decide.
