Donald Trump Endorses Darline Graham for South Carolina Senate Seat

President Donald Trump endorsed Darline Graham to run for a six-year U.S. Senate term in South Carolina, seeking to fill the seat previously held by her late brother, Lindsey Graham. While Trump helped orchestrate her interim appointment to the position, his public push for her to seek a full term has drawn criticism from some South Carolina Republicans who describe the move as a coronation or a backroom deal.

Darline Graham, a former commissioner of the state's Commission for the Blind, stated she is running to advance Trump's agenda with a focus on domestic issues. She faces a nine-person primary field for the August 11 election, which is widely expected to proceed to a runoff.

Prominent challengers in the race include U.S. Representatives Russell Fry and Ralph Norman, as well as former Governor Mark Sanford. These candidates are positioning themselves against the endorsement, with Fry emphasizing his loyalty to the president and Norman presenting himself as a proven conservative. The candidates recently held a joint appearance in Lexington to debate their platforms.