Story perspectives

McMaster Appoints First Female SC Senator; Trump Endorses

7/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham on July 13 as South Carolina’s first female U.S. senator, to serve until Jan. 3, 2027.
U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Graham for the Aug. 11 special Republican primary to fill the seat.
Graham previously served as commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and lacks elected experience.
Senator Tim Scott called Graham’s Senate start remarkable and said she might run for a full term.

History

Historical Context

Governor Henry McMaster’s July 13, 2024 appointment of Darline Graham as South Carolina’s first female U.S. senator echoes Arkansas Governor Harvey Parnell’s 1931 selection of Hattie Caraway, who became the first woman elected to the Senate in 1932 with 55 % of the vote. Both appointments revived debates over appointed versus elected representation and mark milestones in the slow growth of women’s Senate presence.

1 of 2

Story summary

Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham on July 13 as South Carolina’s first female U.S. senator, to serve until Jan. 3, 2027.
U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Graham for the Aug. 11 special Republican primary to fill the seat.
Graham previously served as commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and lacks elected experience.
Senator Tim Scott called Graham’s Senate start remarkable and said she might run for a full term.

1 / 2