Donald Trump Endorses Darline Graham Nordone for South Carolina Senate

President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Darline Graham Nordone to run for a full six-year term in the U.S. Senate following the death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham. Graham died on July 11, 2026, at age 71 from an aortic dissection. To fill the vacancy, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Nordone, the former commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, who was sworn in on July 14. This appointment makes her the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate.

While Governor McMaster reportedly did not expect Nordone to seek a full term, Trump urged her via Truth Social to enter the special Republican primary on August 11, offering his complete and total endorsement. Nordone has not yet formally announced her candidacy, but she has privately expressed interest and discussed a potential campaign at the White House. She has already begun her interim duties by co-sponsoring a Russia sanctions bill.

The Republican primary field remains competitive, with potential contenders including Representatives Nancy Mace, Russell Fry, and Ralph Norman, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, businessman Mark Lynch, and former Representative Mark Sanford. The filing period runs from July 21 through July 28. The Republican nominee will face Democrat Annie Andrews in the general election on November 3. Funeral services for Senator Graham are scheduled for July 28 in Washington and July 29 in South Carolina.