President Trump urges Lindsey Graham’s sister to run for late senator’s seat
Darline Graham officially sworn in as interim RS senator
Fox News chief congressional correspondent Chad Pergram reports that Darline Graham Nordone has been officially sworn in as South Carolina’s interim U.S. Senator. Pergram discusses the upcoming special primary and the historic nature of the appointment.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
President Donald Trump is throwing his political weight behind the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sister, urging newly appointed South Carolina Sen. Darline Graham Nordone to run in next month’s special Republican primary and promising to give her his “Complete and Total Endorsement.”
Instant approval Real Social On Friday, just days after South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham Nordone to temporarily fill the seat vacated by his brother’s sudden death last week.
Graham Nordone will serve until the new Congress convenes in January, while Republicans seeking the full term will compete in a special primary election on Aug. 11.
Trump said in his Truth post: “She is an amazing person and a true American Patriot. Lindsey was one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, and her sister shares her deep love for our Country and the State of South Carolina.” “For the good of our nation, I asked Darline to run for the U.S. Senate at the Private Republican Primary on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. I hope Darline does so, because there is no better person to honor the legacy of her beloved sister Lindsey.”
DARLINE GRAHAM CONSIDERS RUN FOR A SENATE TERM AS MEMORIAL SERVICES SPECIFIED FOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: REPORT
Darline Graham Nordone speaks at a news conference outside the governor’s South Carolina State Capitol office in Columbia, South Carolina, on Monday (Grant Baldwin/Getty Images)
Trump stated that Graham Nordone “comes from an absolutely incredible family” and argued that “he has been a WINNER all his life and has my Total and Total Approval if he accepts.”
The newly appointed U.S. Senator represents a number of firsts for the Senate and her home state as the first female senator from the Palmetto State and the first sister appointed to the upper chamber.
Privately, Graham Nordone has reportedly expressed interest in running for the full term.
GRAHAM’S DEATH IGNITES TROUBLE IN GOP FOR SENATE SEAT, TRUMP IMPLYS HE ALREADY HAD A LOVER
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R.S.C., hugs his sister Darline Graham Nordone after announcing his candidacy for president on June 1, 2015 in South Carolina. (Jessica McGowan/Getty Images, File)
Three people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press that Graham Nordone has begun talks about a potential campaign.
He was appointed by McMaster on Monday to serve out the remainder of his brother’s term and was sworn in on Tuesday.
Newly appointed U.S. interim Sen. Darline Graham Nordone (R), R-S.C. Tim Scott (left) speaks at a news conference Monday and announced his appointment to fill the vacancy created by the death of his brother, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham. (Sean Rayford/AP Photo)
The filing period for the special primary will run from July 21 to July 28, and the primary is scheduled for August 11.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
Several other notable politicians are also eyeing a race, including Reps. Russell Fry, Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, as well as Lt. Gov. Pamela Akşamte. AP also reported.
Fox News Digital’s Alex Miller and Greg Norman-Diamond contributed to this report.
