Less than a week after being appointed to fill her brother’s Senate seat by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, Darline Graham (R-S.C.) has announced she will run for a full term in the U.S. Senate.
In an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity posted on X Monday, Graham stated: “I’ve made a decision. I’m in.”
The senator credited her family and her brother’s legacy for her decision. “I have been praying a lot, talking to my family. But with the love of my family, with the support of his staff, I know I’m a hard worker,” she added. “I learned that from Lindsey. He cared about the people of this state. I’ve worked for almost 30 years for the people of this state. I feel like I can do it.”
President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Graham on Friday, urging her to enter the race. In a statement, he wrote: “I asked Darline, for the Good of our Nation, to run for the U.S. Senate in the Special Republican Primary on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.” He also noted she has his “Complete and Total Endorsement.”
Graham was sworn into the Senate on Tuesday, a day after Governor McMaster appointed her to serve out the remainder of her brother’s term, which concludes in January.
Lindsey Graham died on July 11 at age 71 from an aortic dissection, according to a preliminary medical examiner report. His office initially described the cause as a “brief and sudden illness.”
The filing deadline for the special election is July 28, with Republican candidates including Reps. Russell Fry and Ralph Norman, and businessman Mark Lynch already declared. The winner will face Democrat Annie Andrews in the November general election.
