In South Carolina, Sen. Darline Graham advances to a GOP special primary runoff : NPR
NPR Topics: Politics — 2026-08-11 17:39:00 — www.npr.org
President Trump Endorses Darline Graham in South Carolina Senate Race, Calls Her “the Perfect Person to Carry on Lindsey’s Legacy”
President Trump has thrown his support behind Sen. Darline Graham as she advances to a runoff in South Carolina’s closely watched Republican Senate primary. At a tele-rally on Monday, Trump declared, “[She] will help us achieve our mission to Make America Great Again. She looks so nice, but she’s actually tough and strong, and she’s the perfect person to carry on Lindsey’s legacy.”
Trump’s endorsement comes after Graham was appointed by Governor Henry McMaster to complete the term of her late brother, Senator Lindsey Graham. Despite the high-profile backing, some GOP voters opted for other candidates in the crowded field, highlighting ongoing divisions within the party.
Graham has spent her first weeks in Washington voting on key issues, including the confirmation of Attorney General Todd Blanche and a bill to sanction buyers of Russian oil and gas. She has promised to focus on cost of living concerns, distinguishing her approach from her brother’s emphasis on the federal budget.
The race has drawn several prominent Republicans, including Rep. Ralph Norman and Rep. Russell Fry, both of whom have positioned themselves as fiscal conservatives. Fry, who previously defeated a Trump impeachment supporter, is now facing criticism for allegedly not being “MAGA enough,” a claim he dismisses as a distraction.
Trump’s endorsement remains a significant factor in the race, with some voters citing it as an influence, while others say they are looking for candidates who best represent South Carolina’s changing demographics.
The winner of the GOP primary runoff will face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in November, but in a deeply Republican state, the GOP candidate is widely expected to prevail.
Trump’s involvement in the race underscores his continued influence over the Republican Party and the ongoing debate about the direction of the conservative movement in South Carolina and beyond.