Darline Graham, who was appointed to serve the remaining months of her late brother Lindsey Graham's Senate term, has declared her intention to run for a full six-year term representing South Carolina. Her decision complicates an already fast-paced Republican primary to select a new Senate nominee, following Lindsey Graham's death earlier this month. The special Republican primary is scheduled for August 11, with a weeklong filing period that opened recently.
President Donald Trump has thrown his "Complete and Total Endorsement" behind Darline Graham, urging her to "RUN, DARLINE, RUN!" This endorsement came after she had privately expressed interest in the position and discussed it with Trump. Governor Henry McMaster had initially appointed Darline Graham to complete her brother's term, which ends in January, with some close to the governor suggesting he did not expect her to pursue a full term.
Darline Graham's entry means she will face a competitive primary. The field of Republican hopefuls includes U.S. Reps. Russell Fry and Ralph Norman, along with other candidates such as Duke Buckner, Mark Lynch, Mark McBride, Samuel Shepherd, and Clark Neilson. Darline Graham's campaign will not have direct access to the millions in her late brother's campaign account, as federal rules limit transfers to her candidacy to $2,000. However, the National Republican Senatorial Committee could potentially spend an unlimited amount in coordination with her campaign, as there is no limit on transfers from Lindsey Graham's campaign to the NRSC.
