Darline Graham declared her candidacy for a full term representing South Carolina in the U.S. Senate during an interview with Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity released Monday. She was sworn in last week to fill the remainder of her brother Lindsey Graham’s term, which concludes in January, just three days after his death earlier in the month.
Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to the interim position, though a person familiar with McMaster’s thinking stated the governor had not anticipated she would subsequently run for the seat herself. Her candidacy enters an already competitive Republican primary field vying to select a nominee for the special election scheduled for August 11. The filing period for candidates opens Tuesday and runs for one week.
President Donald Trump announced his “Complete and Total Endorsement” of Darline Graham on Friday, urging her to run. Other candidates already in or entering the race include Representatives Russell Fry, Ralph Norman, and Nancy Mace, who announced Monday she would not compete. Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette has also been considering entering the contest.
Darline Graham told Hannity she had been “praying” about her decision and acknowledged the role presents significant challenges. She emphasized her work ethic and said she feels “inner peace” about the candidacy, though she acknowledged the difficulty ahead.
Regarding campaign finances, former Federal Election Commission Chairman Bradley A. Smith noted that while federal rules restrict direct transfers of Lindsey Graham’s campaign funds to his sister’s candidacy to $2,000, there are no limits on transfers to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which could spend unlimited amounts in coordination with her campaign under recent Supreme Court precedent.
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