FLORENCE, S.C. — Darline Graham, thrust into the national spotlight last month when she was tapped to fill the Senate seat of her late brother Lindsey Graham, is finding that warm personal regards do not always translate into votes.
“I think Darline’s wonderful,” said Kathy Bustos, a Mount Pleasant Republican, after attending a candidate forum last week. But Bustos quickly added, “I’m not sure that she’s really qualified or ready to be elected to the Senate.”
That ambivalence is widespread among GOP voters weighing an unexpected choice in Tuesday’s special primary. Lindsey Graham, who had been nominated for a fifth term, died from a torn aorta. Darline Graham, though a familiar figure at her brother’s side for years, remains largely unknown in South Carolina’s political circles.
President Trump has thrown his support behind her, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee is airing ads on her behalf. Yet Graham has been mostly absent from the campaign trail, spending her time in Washington as the interim senator. Her appointment, rather than an advantage, may be a liability in a sprint to the primary, preventing her from meeting voters across the state.
A Crowded Field and a Possible Runoff
Graham faces a formidable lineup: Reps. Russell Fry and Ralph Norman, and former Gov. Mark Sanford. With so many contenders, a runoff on Aug. 25 looks likely. At a Greenville GOP club meeting Friday, all candidates spoke in person—except Graham, who sent a video from Washington, pledging to be “a great friend and ally” to Trump and to “earn your vote.”
At a Florence forum Saturday, some supporters defended her decision to stay in the capital. “She committed to not missing votes,” said Teresa Castrinos, who drove hours from Bluffton to see her. “She’s putting South Carolina first.”
A Quiet Life, Now in the Spotlight
Unlike her globally known brother, Darline Graham led a private life in Lexington with her husband and daughters. She worked in state government, including as head of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind. Her only public campaign event before Saturday’s forum was in Lexington. Charles Brentnell of Greenville County, still undecided, appreciated her focus on Senate duties. “Let’s keep the Senate at the Senate,” he said.
At the Florence event, Graham apologized for using notes, citing back-to-back votes that kept her in Washington until hours before. “I haven’t slept in two days,” she said, adding that she opposed a Senate recess but was outvoted. “I wanted to stay there, and I wanted to get things done.”
She also appeared in one of two televised debates, where she backed Trump’s plan to change filibuster rules to advance strict proof-of-citizenship voting legislation—a stance that sets her apart from her late brother. After the debate, she skipped the media scrum, offering only a thumbs-up.
Limited Media Appearances
Graham has given few interviews, mostly to friendly outlets like Fox News’ Sean Hannity and Trey Gowdy, both of whom eulogized Lindsey. She has also spoken to two local news organizations. On Saturday, in her first formal press gaggle, she reiterated her commitment to Senate work. “I hate that I can’t be here,” she said. “That’s why I left and didn’t sleep at all last night.”
When asked about her readiness for a six-year term, she cited her state government experience and her weeks on the job. “Trust me, I have learned a lot already,” she said.
The second debate took place Tuesday while she was in Washington, a scheduling conflict her campaign noted. Gigi Bray of Charleston, who supports Sanford, summed up the sentiment of many: “It’s a great honor for her to hold her brother’s spot till November, but it’s time for a change.”
As South Carolina Republicans head to the polls, the race remains a test of whether a famous name—and Trump’s endorsement—can overcome doubts about experience. The outcome could also signal the president’s continued influence in GOP primaries, as seen in similar contests elsewhere.
For more on the candidates and their positions, see our debate recap.
