Lindsey Graham’s sister Darline gets fresh odds of winning his South Carolina Senate seat after securing President Donald Trump’s endorsement
Interim Senator Darline Graham Nordone has emerged as the frontrunner for a full term in the South Carolina Senate seat once held by her late brother, Lindsey Graham, after President Donald Trump formally endorsed her.
A poll conducted on July 21 showed Graham leading the Republican primary field with 20.8 percent support among likely GOP voters, followed by Representative Ralph Norman at 16.9 percent. No candidate is close to securing a majority ahead of the August 11 special primary.
Trump’s endorsement, combined with Graham’s family name and status as the sitting senator, has reshaped a crowded Republican contest just weeks after her brother’s unexpected death.
The path to the nomination
Trump’s backing came after weeks of speculation over who would carry forward Lindsey Graham’s political legacy.
In a Truth Social post, Trump encouraged Darline Graham Nordone to run, saying no one would honor her brother’s legacy better and adding, “Run Darline Run.”
Days later, Graham confirmed her candidacy during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, setting up a competitive race against several House Republicans seeking the seat.
Her challengers continued their campaigns despite Trump’s endorsement. Norman entered the race shortly after Trump backed Graham, promising to advance Trump’s agenda and eliminate the Senate filibuster. He has since received support from Senators Mike Lee of Utah and Rick Scott of Florida, both longtime critics of the filibuster.
Representative Russell Fry also joined the contest, presenting himself as a MAGA-aligned conservative candidate.
Filing deadline and field narrowing
Candidate filing for the special primary opened on July 21 and will close on July 28. The deadline has contributed to a wave of campaign announcements, while it remains uncertain whether all previously declared candidates will complete the filing process now that Graham is officially running.
If no candidate wins a majority on August 11, the top two finishers will advance to an August 25 runoff. Under South Carolina election law, all registered voters can participate in the Republican special primary.
Graham’s rise to the Senate seat happened quickly. Governor Henry McMaster appointed her to fill her brother’s position through the end of the year following his unexpected death on July 11. She later took part in a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on July 14, 2026.