Darline Graham denies being a 'nepo senator', says she must earn voters' trust

Published Aug 11, 08:13 PM UTC

Darline Graham, sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, insists she is not a 'nepo senator' despite being appointed by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to fill her brother's seat. In a NewsNation interview, she stated she must earn voters' trust and is working hard ahead of the special primary election. The decision to run for a full term, rather than serving as a caretaker, has drawn criticism from MAGA personalities who called her 'idiotic.' President Donald Trump has endorsed her, but conservatives question her credentials, noting her only political donation was to a state senator who helped kill an abortion ban, and she did not vote in the 2024 presidential primary or the 2016 general election. The Washington Post reports that no candidate is expected to reach 50% of the vote, making a runoff likely, and low turnout could hurt Graham's chances.