Trump Endorses Darline Graham for South Carolina Senate Race as Aug. 11 Primary Nears
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 19
Trump Endorses Darline Graham for South Carolina Senate Race as Aug. 11 Primary Nears
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 19
Summary
Trump gave Darline Graham his “Complete and Total Endorsement” on July 17 as the newly appointed senator weighs a run for the seat left vacant by Lindsey Graham’s July 11 death.
July 21-28 filing for the special Republican primary will quickly test that backing, with the Aug. 11 contest already drawing Rep. Ralph Norman, businessman Mark Lynch and possible bids from Rep. Russell Fry and others.
Darline Graham, 62, has not formally entered but signaled interest in a July 18 open letter, saying it was time to “step up for South Carolina” as her brother once stepped up for her.
Senate allies including Tim Scott and Katie Britt have praised her early tenure, while a Darline Graham candidacy could spare House Republicans another vacancy in their narrow majority.
The race is shaping up as another measure of Trump’s sway in South Carolina after his preferred gubernatorial candidate Pamela Evette lost a June runoff by 37 points.