South Carolina Senator Darline Graham has articulated her conservative platform, emphasizing her commitment to supporting former President Donald Trump's agenda, fiscal prudence, and traditional values. Graham, who was appointed to the Senate following the death of her brother, Lindsey Graham, stated in an exclusive interview that she is answering President Trump's call to serve and intends to stand up for South Carolina.
Graham described her upbringing in a family that owned a bar and liquor store, emphasizing the hard work and financial struggles her parents faced. She noted that her brother Lindsey stepped in to raise her after their parents passed away when she was young. For 30 years, Graham stated her passion has been serving South Carolina, and when Trump asked her to run for the Senate, she accepted.
Prior to her Senate appointment, Graham led a state agency for seven years, managing a $90 million budget and overseeing 130 employees. She claims to have transformed the agency into a national model for helping people find employment and live independently, focusing on responsible spending and avoiding duplication of services to save taxpayer money.
Beyond her professional experience, Graham described herself as a mother, grandmother, and wife who understands family budgeting. She highlighted her experience paying high medical bills for her two daughters and drew a parallel between household financial management and the federal budget, suggesting the nation's current spending practices are unsustainable. "I know there isn't a single business in this country that would let you put everything on credit the way we do today with the federal budget," she stated.
Graham's legislative priorities include the SAVE America Act, a bill she co-sponsored that requires voter ID. She expressed a desire to cancel the Senate's August recess to expedite its passage and send it to the president's desk. On immigration, she stated her belief that 12 million undocumented immigrants have entered the country under the Biden administration and that she and President Trump intend to deport them, advocating for legal immigration and respect for American values.
Her platform also includes a strong stance on social issues. Graham supports the Right to Life, believing every human life is sacred. She is a proponent of the Second Amendment, stating her experience with a concealed weapons permit and scoring highly on a shooting test. Graham also expressed opposition to boys participating in girls' sports and using girls' locker rooms, and she opposes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. She criticized political figures such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Graham is the first woman to serve as a U.S. Senator from South Carolina. She criticized her Democratic opponent, Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, on her stance regarding gender transition for minors. Graham concluded by pledging to work hard for South Carolina and asking for prayers and votes.