Darline Graham unveils legislative focus in Senate bid for Lindsey’s legacy
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Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, outlined her political priorities in an exclusive interview with “Hannity” on Monday as she announced she would run for a full Senate term in November.
“He worked so hard for so long. I can’t let this die. I have to step in and carry on his legacy,” he said in his first interview since Lindsey’s death.
“I know he cares a lot about the people of South Carolina. He worked hard for them. I feel like I can do that too. He taught me well,” he added.
YOU DARLINE GRAHAM ANNOUNCES SHE WILL RUN FOR A FULL TERM DURING THE ‘HANNITY’ SPECIAL
Darline Graham Nordone, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster speaks at a news conference outside the governor’s South Carolina State House office in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster announced that the remaining term of Senator Lindsey Graham’s U.S. Senate seat will be filled by his sister, Darline Graham Nordone, following Graham’s death on July 11. Grant Baldwin/Getty Images (Grant Baldwin/Getty Images)
Graham, who was appointed last week by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster to serve out the remainder of his late brother’s Senate term through January 2027, announced Monday that he will run for a six-year term.
Graham, South Carolina’s first female U.S. Senator, told Fox News she feels “peace of mind” about succeeding her brother in representing the Palmetto State.
“This is a lot of pressure,” he said.
“I feel like I can do it. I feel an inner peace about it.”
Unlike Lindsey, who is passionate about ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Graham said he plans to focus primarily on domestic issues rather than foreign policy and place more emphasis on the day-to-day concerns of South Carolinians.
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“I was seeing her on talk shows. I was watching her and I was like, ‘Lindsey, are you talking about national security all the time?’ “I was thinking,” he explained. “And I understand that’s important. To absolutely protect our borders and our national security.”
Former Senator Lindsey Graham, left, with his sister Darline Graham Nordone, right. ( )
“And I said, ‘But also talk about what’s important to the average person. Grocery prices, the price of gas, health care. Insurance, that kind of thing.’ That’s what I’m worried about.”
Lindsey Graham died suddenly on July 11 at the age of 71. The cause of death was later identified as aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
“It was tough, extremely tough,” Darline Graham told host Sean Hannity.
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“He was my everything, he was my rock. He was my brother, my mother and my father,” he added.
Graham has served as commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind since 2019, overseeing a $90 million budget. The organization helps blind or visually impaired people find employment.
“This was a passion for me, but I have the heart of a servant,” she said. “You need to have the heart of a servant for a job like this.”
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