President Donald Trump on Friday endorsed newly appointed South Carolina Sen. Darline Graham for a full Senate term, saying he asked her to seek the Republican nomination in next month’s special primary election to pick a replacement for her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham. Darline Graham was sworn in to the Senate on Tuesday, just days after her brother died at age 71 from a tear in his aorta, according to preliminary medical findings. “I hope Darline does this, in that there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey,” Trump said in a Truth Social post, noting that he had relayed the request to her during an Oval Office meeting this week. "RUN, DARLINE, RUN!" Lindsey Graham had been running for a fifth term when he died, having won the Republican primary last month. The special primary election to pick a new GOP nominee is set for Aug. 11, with the winner to face Democrat Annie Andrews in November. Darline Graham is the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate, as well as the first sister to directly succeed her brother in Congress. Trump’s endorsement would give her a boost if she decided to run for a full term, as the president’s support continues to prove to be effective in Republican primaries despite his lagging approval ratings. Under her current appointment, Darline Graham is poised to serve out the remainder of her late brother’s term, which ends in January. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, suggested during a news conference this week that she could become a more permanent replacement. "Darline has so far been off to a remarkable start," Scott said. "Why not her?" Semafor reported Friday that Darline Graham was considering running for a full term this fall. If she does seek the nomination, she would have to balance a campaign with Senate duties. It’s not clear if Trump’s pre-endorsement would clear the field for the new senator, if she entered the race. Several Republicans have already expressed interest in running in the special election. The filing period is set to open Tuesday. Businessman Mark Lynch, who took 29 percent in losing to Lindsey Graham in last month’s primary, has said he would run again. Reps. Nancy Mace, Russell Fry and Ralph Norman are all considered potential candidates, as are Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and former Gov. and Rep. Mark Sanford. Mace, Norman and Evette unsuccessfully sought the Republican gubernatorial nomination last month. Evette won a late endorsement from Trump, who then went on to also back the eventual winner, state Attorney General Alan Wilson. Before Trump announced his support for Darline Graham on Friday, Norman had picked up an endorsement from Florida Sen. Rick Scott. Earlier Friday, Lindsey Graham’s office announced dates for memorial services for the late senator: July 28 in Washington and July 29 in Columbia and Pickens County, S.C.
