Trump urges Darline Graham to run in South Carolina special election
Trump Encourages Darline Graham to Seek South Carolina Senate Seat in Special Election
Presidential Endorsement for Graham’s Potential Campaign
Trump urges Darline Graham to run – President Donald Trump has publicly encouraged Darline Graham, the younger sibling of the recently deceased Senator Lindsey Graham, to enter the race for South Carolina’s upcoming special primary election. The former president made his appeal through a Truth Social post on Friday, offering what he described as his “complete and total endorsement” should she decide to pursue the position that her brother previously held in the U.S. Senate.
During a recent visit to the White House, Trump personally asked Graham to consider running for the Senate seat. His social media message emphasized the importance of this potential candidacy for the country. “During her visit, I asked Darline, for the Good of our Nation, to run for the U.S. Senate in the Special Republican Primary on Tuesday, August 11, 2026,” Trump wrote, referencing her Oval Office meeting earlier in the week.
“I hope Darline does this, in that there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey. Darline, who comes from an absolutely incredible family, has been a WINNER all of her life and, should she accept, has my Complete and Total Endorsement in the Special Election for U.S. Senate in South Carolina — SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN. RUN, DARLINE, RUN!”
Graham’s Path to the Senate and Potential Candidacy
Graham was officially sworn into the Senate on Tuesday, taking on the responsibility of completing her brother’s term following his passing over the weekend. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster had announced her appointment on Monday to fill the vacancy. Since Lindsey Graham was scheduled for reelection this year, his death has triggered a rapid primary election process to determine who will appear on the November ballot alongside the Democratic candidate.
At sixty-two years of age, Graham would bring considerable name recognition to the race if she chooses to run. She has never held an elected position but has maintained a long career in public service within South Carolina. Prior to her Senate appointment, she served as a commissioner for the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, dedicating years to working with individuals with disabilities throughout the state.
CNN has contacted Graham’s office for comment regarding her potential candidacy. Should she enter the race, she would do so with the backing of the president and strong visibility among South Carolina voters.
Other Republican Contenders and Political Dynamics
Several Republican figures have emerged as possible candidates for the special primary in South Carolina. GOP Representative Ralph Norman indicated on Wednesday that he would make his decision by Monday, noting that he is carefully considering multiple factors, including the president’s potential endorsement choice. “I told him I want their, need the endorsement and I think we can win this thing,” Norman explained to CNN.
Norman also mentioned that the president had been in conversation with South Carolina Representatives Russell Fry and William Timmons. On Friday, Norman received an endorsement from Florida Senator Rick Scott, prompting his response: “We will have an announcement soon and it would be an honor to work alongside a conservative leader like you in the United States Senate!”
Meanwhile, Timmons has thrown his support behind Graham, describing the president’s decision to back her as “a fitting tribute to Senator Lindsey Graham’s legacy.” He pledged to campaign actively on her behalf during the coming weeks.
Other names circulating as potential candidates include Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette and Representative Nancy Mace, both of whom lost in the state’s Republican gubernatorial primary earlier this year. The filing window for the GOP special primary opens on July 21 and closes on July 28. The victor of this special primary will then face Democrat Annie Andrews in the November general election.
Historical Context and Reporting
This situation is not unprecedented for the president. In January, Trump publicly expressed his preference for Representative Julia Letlow in her effort to unseat Senator Bill Cassidy in Louisiana’s Senate race, doing so before Letlow had formally announced her candidacy. She entered the race just days afterward.
Whether Graham’s potential candidacy will shift the strategies of other Republican contenders remains uncertain. The president’s pre-endorsement could significantly influence the field of candidates and their decisions to enter or withdraw from the race.
This story has been updated with additional information. CNN’s Ethan Cohen, Lauren Fox and Ali Main contributed to this report.
