President Trump on Friday threw his weight behind Darline Graham Nordone, the newly appointed senator from South Carolina and sister of the late Lindsey Graham, urging her to seek a full term in the upcoming special Republican primary.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said he met with Graham Nordone in the Oval Office and asked her to run in the August 11, 2026, special primary. He praised her as a “spectacular person” and “true American Patriot,” adding that she shares her brother’s deep love for the country and South Carolina. “During her visit, I asked Darline, for the Good of our Nation, to run for the U.S. Senate in the Special Republican Primary,” Trump wrote.
Lindsey Graham, a 71-year-old defense hawk and Trump ally, died unexpectedly last weekend from what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness” shortly after returning from a trip abroad. His death triggered a rapid succession process, with South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointing Graham Nordone to fill the remainder of his term. She became the first sibling to replace a senator who died in office.
Graham was already running for a fifth term this fall and had easily won the initial June primary. His death now sets up a special primary for Republicans to choose a new nominee for the November general election. The winner will serve a full term through 2033, making the race a critical battleground for control of the Senate, where the GOP holds a slim majority.
Before McMaster’s appointment, several high-profile Republicans in the state were maneuvering to succeed Graham, hoping to inherit his legacy as a top defense voice and Trump ally. Trump’s endorsement of Graham Nordone could clear the field, given his influence in the deeply red state. However, she has not formally announced her candidacy, leaving the door open for other contenders.
The special election comes amid a broader political landscape shaped by Trump’s continued dominance in GOP primaries and his ongoing legal battles. Trump’s recent appearances have drawn attention, but his focus on South Carolina underscores the stakes for the party’s Senate majority.
Graham Nordone’s potential run also carries emotional weight. Memorial services for Lindsey Graham are planned for late July in Washington and South Carolina, where colleagues have hailed his decades of service. Trump’s backing suggests he sees her as the best vessel to carry forward Graham’s legacy, particularly on national security and judicial appointments.
The primary is set for August 11, 2026, with the general election to follow in November. Republicans are bracing for a competitive race as they defend their Senate majority against Democratic challenges in a midterm cycle that could hinge on economic and foreign policy issues.
