Republicans Express Concern Over Darline Graham's Senate Bid, Blame Trump

Republican strategists are expressing private concern over Darline Graham's campaign for the U.S. Senate in South Carolina, with some insiders reportedly blaming former President Donald Trump for her perceived struggles. Graham, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, was hand-picked by Trump to fill the vacancy and subsequently encouraged by him to seek a full term.

A recent poll showed Graham in a tie with Democratic challenger Annie Andrews, a development that prompted Trump to hold another campaign event for Graham in South Carolina, a state he won by 18 points in 2020. According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, some Republican sources believe a stronger candidate could have been found and that Trump's insistence on Graham's candidacy is now a liability.

Ralph Norman, who lost to Graham in the Republican primary, has stated that his family, all Republicans, are refusing to vote for her. Norman suggested Trump's presence in the state was an indicator of Graham's difficulties. "The reason he's here is she's lagging in the polls. He's doing it because she is in trouble," Norman said.

Darline Graham has faced criticism regarding her inexperience and lack of public engagement. She has acknowledged challenges in fundraising and name recognition within the state, attributing some of this to her inability to campaign extensively while acclimating to her new role. Andrews, a pediatrician, has criticized Graham, framing her as an insider and an advocate for data centers.

Despite initial hesitations, sources indicate Graham has become more engaged in campaign activities, including debate preparation. Trump has actively supported her campaign, characterizing Andrews as a radical extremist on social issues and coining the nickname "Trannie Annie." Graham has sought to align herself closely with Trump, calling him "one of Lindsey's greatest friends" and asserting he "will always be a part of the Graham family."

South Carolina has not elected a Democratic U.S. senator since 1998. In an effort to secure the seat, the Republican Party recently allocated an additional $5 million to Graham's campaign, described as an "insurance policy" to retain control of a seat previously held by Lindsey Graham, who consistently won by more than 10 percentage points.