Trump endorses newly appointed Sen. Darline Graham for full term

Published Jul 17, 05:13 PM UTC

President Donald Trump endorsed newly appointed South Carolina Senator Darline Graham for a full Senate term on Friday, urging her to run in the upcoming special primary election to replace her late brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, who died at age 71 from an aortic tear. Darline Graham was sworn in on July 14, becoming the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate and the first sister to directly succeed her brother in Congress. The special primary is set for August 11, with the winner facing Democrat Annie Andrews in November. Trump's endorsement could boost her candidacy, though several Republicans, including businessman Mark Lynch and Representatives Nancy Mace, Russell Fry, and Ralph Norman, have expressed interest in running. Senator Tim Scott also suggested Darline Graham could become a permanent replacement.