Sen. Darline Graham running to replace late brother Lindsey Graham
U.S. Senator Darline Graham Nordone (R-SC) attends the swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on July 14, 2026 in Washington, DC.
Fin Gomez | Getty Images
South Carolina Sen. Darline Graham announced Monday that she will run for a full six-year term to replace her brother Lindsey Graham in the Senate.
Graham was appointed last week by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to fill the shoes of his brother, who died unexpectedly on July 11, through the end of the year. He now has his sights set on remaining in Congress more permanently, he told Fox News’ Sean Hannity. “I am in“In an interview on Monday.
“I’ve been praying a lot, talking to my family… I feel like I can do this. I have peace of mind about it. Will it be hard? Yes. Absolutely,” Graham said. He is now the fifth South Carolina Republican to say they will run for the job in a special GOP primary scheduled for Aug. 11.
filing for private primary officially opens at noon ET on Tuesday. The winner of this primary will face Democrat Annie Andrews in the general election this November. Report Politically with Amy Walter It was labeled “Strict R”.
Although Graham has been a sworn-in member of the Senate for less than a week, he has already won President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
One RealSocial post The president on Friday urged Graham to file for the nomination, calling him “an amazing human being and a true American Patriot.”
“[T]There could be no one better here to honor the legacy of her beloved sister, Lindsey. Coming from an absolutely incredible family, Darline has been a WINNER her entire life and has my Total and Complete Endorsement in the US Senate Special Election in South Carolina if she accepts – SHE WILL NEVER RACE YOU. RUN, DARLINE, RUN!” wrote Trump.
His run would lead to a showdown with other prominent Palmetto State Republicans.
South Carolina Rep. Russell Fry announced Monday that he will be throwing his name in the ring, days after South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman announced he would run.
“South Carolina, I’m in! I’m running for the US Senate. Many families are struggling to make ends meet in South Carolina. High gas prices and rising grocery costs are hurting hard-working people,” Fry said in his post.
The post continued: “We need a conservative warrior in the Senate who will deliver real results. I will be your conservative MAGA candidate in the special Senate primary election this summer. I’m ready for the fight and I’m all in.”
Rep. Russell Fry, R.S.C., arrives at the House Republican Conference caucus meeting at the Capitol Hill Club on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Washington.
Bill Clark | Cq-roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images
Fry is a close ally of Trump and has represented South Carolina’s 7th Congressional District in the state’s northeast since 2023. Norman, a conservative member of the House Freedom Caucus who unsuccessfully bid for the South Carolina governorship in the GOP primary earlier this year, announced plans to run for the Senate seat over the weekend.
“I’m running to represent the people of South Carolina in the U.S. Senate because we need a warrior to stand with President Trump and carry on Lindsey Graham’s legacy! I’ve spent years fighting in the state legislature, in Congress, for the Palmetto State, and now I want to pass the SAVE America Act in the Senate!” wrote NormanIt refers to a controversial, Trump-backed election bill that imposes strict photo ID requirements and requires proof of citizenship to register to vote.
Rep. Ralph Norman, R.S.C., leaves the House Republican Conference meeting at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Tom Williams | Cq-roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images
Norman has represented South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District in the north-central part of the state since 2017. He is not seeking re-election to the House of Representatives.
A primary victory for Fry, who is seeking a new term in the House of Representatives, could make it harder for Republicans to maintain their House majority. If his Senate bid is successful, there is not enough time for him to replace Fry on the ballot for the House seat in November.
South Carolina Election Commission confirmed in a statement Last week it was announced that a candidate can be on the general election ballot for more than one office. But if Fry wins both seats, he would have to refuse to be sworn in to the House of Representatives, which would trigger a special election in the spring of 2027 and potentially leave the House GOP shorthanded to kick off the 120th Congress.
“I respect Russell Fry and enjoyed serving with him in the House of Representatives, but the reality is that his candidacy could leave his seat vacant until May 18. This would leave his constituents unrepresented, jeopardize President Trump’s agenda, and put the House of Representatives at risk of being led by a Speaker Hakeem Jeffries. We cannot let this happen!!” Norman sent a message to X he referred to the House Democratic leader on Monday.
