Trump Backs Darline Graham For Senate Bid If She Enters South Carolina GOP Primary
By CU Today Staff —
WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump on Friday publicly endorsed Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC) should she decide to seek a full Senate term, saying he urged the recently appointed senator during a White House meeting to enter next month's special Republican primary to succeed her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, the Associated Press reported.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he welcomed Graham to the Oval Office on Thursday and encouraged her to launch a campaign for the Aug. 11 Republican primary, adding that she would have his "complete and total endorsement" if she runs. Graham, who has not formally announced her candidacy, was appointed earlier this week by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster to serve the remainder of her brother's Senate term, which expires in January, AP said.
Trump's backing could significantly reshape what had been expected to be a crowded Republican contest. Before the endorsement, several prominent South Carolina Republicans—including Reps. Nancy Mace, Ralph Norman and Russell Fry, along with Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette—had been mentioned as potential candidates. Filing for the special primary is scheduled for July 21-28, with a runoff, if necessary, later in August, AP said.
Darline Graham was sworn into the Senate on Tuesday after McMaster selected her to complete the final months of Lindsey Graham's term following his sudden death last weekend. The longtime South Carolina senator, who died at age 71 while campaigning for reelection, had served in the Senate since 2003 and had raised his younger sister after their parents died when they were teenagers.
Originally reported by CU Today.