Trump Backs Late Senator Lindsey Graham’s Sister in South Carolina Senate Race

President Donald Trump has issued a “Complete and Total Endorsement” for Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, urging voters to elect her to a full six-year term in the August 11 special election. The appointment, made by Gov. Henry McMaster after Graham’s death on July 11, placed Darline Graham on the Senate seat until the term expires in January 2027. Her swearing-in ceremony occurred on July 14, 2026. If no candidate wins a majority, a runoff is scheduled for August 25.

The Jerusalem Post

Following Lindsey Graham’s death, McMaster appointed his sister as interim senator. While Trump praised the move as a “fabulous tribute,” the decision has transformed a temporary placeholder into a contested bid for a full term. At least nine Republicans—two sitting U.S. Representatives, a former governor, a self-funding businessman, and others—are seeking the GOP nomination, with a tenth candidate’s ballot eligibility still in question. Recent polls show Graham leading by a double-digit margin, but the crowded field means a runoff is likely.

The Jerusalem Post

Several South Carolina GOP officials have voiced concern that Trump’s endorsement sidelines other “exciting options” for the seat. Dorchester County GOP chairman CJ Westfall warned that the president is “certainly getting bad advice.” State Rep. Jordan Pace, chair of the South Carolina Freedom Caucus, said the endorsement sparked “hard feelings” among the conservative grassroots. Former aide to Lindsey Graham and candidates such as Rep. Ralph Norman and former governor Mark Sanford argue that Graham’s low-profile campaign and limited political record raise questions about her qualifications and eligibility under a party rule requiring recent primary participation.

HuffPost

Trump described the appointment as a “fabulous tribute” and pledged his full backing. Darline Graham told Fox News host Sean Hannity that she never intended to be a politician but felt compelled to “carry on his legacy.”

The Jerusalem Post

• “His candidate lost in the governor's race, and his candidate's going to lose in the Senate race,” — Representative Nancy Mace

The Jerusalem Post

• “We certainly empathize with Darline — and even the president, as Lindsey was a really good friend of his — but he’s certainly getting bad advice,” — Westfall, chairman of the Dorchester County GOP, chalked the selection up to bad advice

HuffPost