Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) on Monday declined to say whether Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) should retain his leadership post if Republicans hold the chamber after the 2026 midterms.
In an interview with Fox Carolina's Justin Dougherty, Graham—who was appointed to the Senate after the death of her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham—was asked directly if she thought Thune needed to step aside. She responded, "I haven't been there long enough to make a decision on whether he needs to stay or go. He's a very nice man from what I've seen so far. He's working hard, but I can't answer that question because I've been there three weeks."
Graham added that she would "like to give him an opportunity before I say he needs to stay or needs to go."
Her cautious stance comes as Thune faces an unusual challenge from within his own party. President Trump has declined to back Thune for another term as GOP leader, saying, "I get along with him. It's unfortunate that he doesn't have the votes." Trump has also pushed for eliminating the filibuster to advance the SAVE America Act, a voting integrity bill that Graham has co-sponsored. Thune has been a staunch defender of the filibuster, aligning with bipartisan opposition.
Graham's appointment to the Senate followed the sudden death of her brother in early July. She was previously a disability rights advocate with no prior political experience. Trump endorsed her bid for the seat, and she advanced to a runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) for the Republican nomination. Thune declined to endorse in that primary but called Graham a "strong candidate."
Since taking office, Graham has already broken with her brother's legacy on at least one key issue: she has called for eliminating the filibuster, a move Lindsey Graham had opposed. Her support for the SAVE America Act—which would restrict the types of documents accepted for voter verification—has aligned her with Trump's agenda.
The question of Thune's leadership is likely to intensify as the 2026 elections approach. Senate Republicans have largely rallied around Thune despite Trump's criticism, but the president's influence remains a wild card. Graham's refusal to take a side may reflect the delicate balancing act facing new senators in a party split over leadership.
Her race for a full term is also drawing national attention. Key GOP figures, including Sen. Tim Scott, have endorsed her, and her campaign is testing whether name recognition can overcome her lack of experience. Meanwhile, political analysts are watching to see if her appointment translates into a primary win.
For now, Graham is focused on her first weeks in the Senate, saying she needs more time before making judgments about leadership. "I've been here three weeks," she reiterated. "I can't answer that question yet."
