Trump endorses Darline Graham for Lindsey Graham’s open Senate seat
President Donald Trump has publicly urged Darline Graham to run for a full six-year term representing South Carolina in the U.S. Senate. His endorsement follows the passing of her brother, longtime Senator Lindsey Graham, on July 11, 2026.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Darline Graham as a “spectacular person” and a “true American Patriot,” noting that he had discussed a potential campaign with her during a recent visit to the White House. Trump stated that she “has been a WINNER all of her life and, should she accept, has my Complete and Total Endorsement,” adding the rallying cry: “RUN, DARLINE, RUN!”.
Darline Graham was appointed by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to serve the remainder of her brother’s term and was sworn in on July 14, 2026, becoming the first woman to represent the state in the Senate. While she has stated her intention to “honor” her brother’s legacy by finishing his term, she has not yet officially confirmed whether she will enter the special Republican primary.
The special Republican primary is scheduled for August 11, 2026, with a filing period opening from July 21 to July 28. Trump’s intervention is expected to significantly reshape the field, which had already attracted interest from several high-profile South Carolina Republicans. The winner of the primary will face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in the general election on November 3, 2026.
